Journey through the thymus: stromal guides for T-cell development and selection

Y Takahama - Nature Reviews Immunology, 2006 - nature.com
Nature Reviews Immunology, 2006nature.com
Lympho–stromal interactions in multiple microenvironments within the thymus have a crucial
role in the regulation of T-cell development and selection. Recent studies have implicated
that chemokines that are produced by thymic stromal cells have a pivotal role in positioning
developing T cells within the thymus. In this Review, I discuss the importance of stroma-
derived chemokines in guiding the traffic of developing thymocytes, with an emphasis on the
processes of cortex-to-medulla migration and T-cell-repertoire selection, including central …
Abstract
Lympho–stromal interactions in multiple microenvironments within the thymus have a crucial role in the regulation of T-cell development and selection. Recent studies have implicated that chemokines that are produced by thymic stromal cells have a pivotal role in positioning developing T cells within the thymus. In this Review, I discuss the importance of stroma-derived chemokines in guiding the traffic of developing thymocytes, with an emphasis on the processes of cortex-to-medulla migration and T-cell-repertoire selection, including central tolerance.
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