The origin and regulation of autopathogenic T cells

A clear understanding of the events surrounding the selection of autoreacti ve T cells in the thymus and their regulation in the periphery has eluded i mmunologists for years. However recent work examining the expression of tis sue-specific antigens in the thymus and the biochemistry of disease associa ted MHC alleles has provided important clues into the generation of the aut oreactive T cell repertoire in the thymus. In addition, recent studies focu sing on the role of immunoregulatory cytokines and cross-reactive peptide l igands has provided information regarding both the regulation and activatio n of autoreactive cells in the periphery. An improved understanding of the selection and regulation of autoreactive T cells will undoubtedly aid in th e development of strategies for treating autoimmune disease.