Self-tolerance and the composition of T cell repertoire

T cell recognition of self-major histocompatibility complex-peptide complex es dictates the composition of the T cell receptor repertoire. Research pro jects in our laboratory deal with the mechanisms that regulate the composit ion of the repertoire specific for self-antigens and the defects that can r esult in autoimmunity. Two different types of disease models are under inve stigation: juvenile (type I) diabetes and cancer. Both of these diseases ar e impacted by the presence of anti-self CD8 cells, yet in opposite ways. By understanding the mechanisms of peripheral tolerance and the reasons they fail in autoimmunity, we may learn how to prevent undesirable autoimmunity and how to encourage an autoimmune response when it is needed to eliminate tumor cells.