Review
Immunology and Cell Biology (2008) 86, 54–56; doi:10.1038/sj.icb.7100139; published online 11 December 2007
Self/non-self discrimination and the problem of keeping T cells alive
Jonathan Sprent1 and Jae-Ho Cho1
1Immunology Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
Correspondence: Professor J Sprent, The Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, New South Wales 2010, Australia. E-mail: j.sprent@garvan.org.au
Received 3 October 2007; Accepted 11 October 2007; Published online 11 December 2007.
Abstract
Burnet appreciated the requirement for self/non-self discrimination and presciently postulated elimination of auto-aggressive cells during early life. He could not have known that, for T cells, a limited degree of autoreactivity is beneficial for the immune system. Here, we review evidence that recognition of self-components keeps T cells alive and regulates self-tolerance.
Keywords:
cytokines, T cells, IL-2, IL-7
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