The role of cell traffic in the emergence of the T lymphoid system

The role of the thymus is to ensure the differentiation and selection of T lymphocytes, which are one of the major players in the immune system. Recen t studies show that the establishment of the T lymphoid system requires a c omplex cell traffic. In this field, avian embryos yield particularly inform ative developmental models because they are amenable to many experimental a pproaches during the phases of morphogenesis, and , in addition, the immune system resembles that of mammals.