| First Author | Martin B | Year | 2006 |
| Journal | Blood | Volume | 108 |
| Issue | 1 | Pages | 270-7 |
| PubMed ID | 16527889 | Mgi Jnum | J:135378 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3793533 | Doi | 10.1182/blood-2006-01-0017 |
| Citation | Martin B, et al. (2006) Self-recognition is crucial for maintaining the peripheral CD4+ T-cell pool in a nonlymphopenic environment. Blood 108(1):270-7 |
| abstractText | The role of self-recognition in the maintenance of the peripheral CD4+ T-cell pool has been extensively studied, but no clear answer has so far emerged. Indeed, in studies of the role of self-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules in CD4+ T-cell survival, several parameters must be taken into account when interpreting the results: (1) in a lymphopenic environment, observations are biased by concomitant proliferation of T cells arising in MHC-expressing mice; (2) the peripheral T-cell compartment is qualitatively and quantitatively different in nonlymphopenic, normal, and MHC class II-deficient mice; and (3) in C57BL/6 Abeta(-/-) mice (traditionally considered MHC class II-deficient), the Aalpha chain and the Ebeta chain associate to form a hybrid AalphaEbeta MHC class II molecule. In light of these considerations, we revisited the role of interactions with MHC class II molecules in the survival of peripheral CD4+ T cells. We found that the answer to the question 'is self-recognition required for CD4+ T cells to survive?' is not a simple yes or no. Indeed, although long-term survival of CD4+ T cells does not depend on self-recognition in lymphopenic mice, interactions with MHC class II molecules are required for maintaining the peripheral CD4+ T-cell pool in a nonlymphopenic environment. |
