Extrathymic mechanisms of T cell tolerance: Lessons from autoimmune gastritis

Abstract While the thymus plays a key role in the prevention of many autoimmune phenomena it is clear that robust mechanisms external to the thymus are also vital in controlling self-reactive T cells. Here we review the current concepts in the field of extrathymic tolerance and use recent studies of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of autoimmunity 2008-11, Vol.31 (3), p.268-273
Main Authors: Hogan, Thea V, Ang, Desmond K.Y, Gleeson, Paul A, van Driel, Ian R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Allergy and Immunology
Animals
Autoimmune disease
Autoimmune gastritis
Autoimmunity
Gastritis - genetics
Gastritis - immunology
Gastritis - metabolism
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Humans
Immune Tolerance - immunology
Immunological tolerance
Regulatory T cells
T-Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology
T-Lymphocyte Subsets - metabolism
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - immunology
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - metabolism
Thymus Gland - immunology
Thymus Gland - metabolism
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Summary:Abstract While the thymus plays a key role in the prevention of many autoimmune phenomena it is clear that robust mechanisms external to the thymus are also vital in controlling self-reactive T cells. Here we review the current concepts in the field of extrathymic tolerance and use recent studies of autoimmune gastritis to illustrate how T cells directed to a prominent, clinically relevant autoantigen, namely the gastric proton pump, can be silenced with little or no thymic involvement. Autoimmune gastritis represents one of the most thoroughly characterised autoimmune systems and the knowledge and tools available to study this disease will continue to allow a thorough assessment of the genetic, cellular and molecular events that underlie tolerance and autoimmunity.
ISSN:0896-8411
1095-9157
DOI:10.1016/j.jaut.2008.04.007