[Positive and negative selection of thymocytes]

Abstract

Maturation of T cells in thymus plays key roles in antigen-specific immune response. In maturation, thymocytes undergo positive and negative selection. The MHC restriction of T cell is determined in positive selection. The tolerance of T cells to autoantigen is acquired during negative selection. Quantitation (avidity) theory points out that difference of avidity between thymocytes and stroma cells leads to difference in the signals integrated inside cells. When the signal reaches a particular threshold, positive or negative selection takes place. In this article, the selection mechanism and the relationship between positive and negative selection are mini-reviewed.