Central tolerance and autoimmune diseases

Abstract

Central tolerance is established by the repertoire selection of immature T lymphocytes in the thymus, avoiding autoimmune responses to self-antigens. Differential ligand-TCR interactions that result in positive and negative selection initiate differential intracellular signals that, in turn, lead to the survival-or-death decision of immature thymocytes. TCR signal dysregulation due to the mutation of ZAP-70 or defective apoptosis of autoreactive thymocytes due to the deficiency of pro-apoptotic protein Bim impair tolerance and cause autoimmunity. Thymic repertoire selection also induces the development of CD25+CD4+ regulatory T cells, which play important roles for maintaining peripheral tolerance. Furthermore, the establishment of central tolerance requires the development of thymic medulla that is mediated by the activation of NF-kB signaling pathway, promiscuous expression of tissue-specific self-antigens by medullary epithelial cells that is regulated by AIRE, and cortex-to-medulla migration of developing thymocytes that is regulated by CCR7-mediated chemokine signals. © 2006, The Japan Society for Clinical Immunology. All rights reserved.