1. Affinity threshold for thymic selection through a T-cell receptor-co-receptor zipper.
- Author
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Palmer, Ed and Naeher, Dieter
- Subjects
- *
T cell receptors , *MAJOR histocompatibility complex , *LIGANDS (Biochemistry) , *CELL membranes , *CELL communication , *ANTIGENS , *CELL receptors , *GENES , *HEMATOPOIESIS , *IMMUNITY , *MICE , *T cells , *THYMUS - Abstract
The affinity of the T-cell receptor (TCR) for self antigen is the basis for the selection of a useful (MHC-restricted) and safe (self-tolerant) T-cell repertoire. However, it has been difficult to understand how thymocytes measure ligand affinity and translate this signal into a cellular response. In this Opinion article, we propose a new model that describes how the TCR discriminates between low- and high-affinity ligands, which is based on the duration of TCR-ligand interactions and a 'zipper' mechanism that mediates the interaction of the TCR and co-receptor molecules to initiate negative-selection signalling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2009
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