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Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) are specialized for inducing central immunological tolerance to self-antigens. To accomplish this, mTECs must adopt a mature phenotype characterized by expression of the autoimmune regulator Aire, which activates the transcription of numerous genes encoding tissue-restricted self-antigens. The mechanisms that control mature Aire(+) mTEC development in the postnatal thymus remain poorly understood. We demonstrate here that, although either CD4(+) or CD8(+) thymocytes are sufficient to sustain formation of a well-defined medulla, expansion of the mature mTEC population requires autoantigen-specific interactions between positively selected CD4(+) thymocytes bearing autoreactive T cell receptor (TCR) and mTECs displaying cognate self-peptide-MHC class II complexes. These interactions also involve the engagement of CD40 on mTECs by CD40L induced on the positively selected CD4(+) thymocytes. This antigen-specific TCR-MHC class II-mediated crosstalk between CD4(+) thymocytes and mTECs defines a unique checkpoint in thymic stromal development that is pivotal for generating a mature mTEC population competent for ensuring central T cell tolerance.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.immuni.2008.08.007

Type

Journal article

Journal

Immunity

Publication Date

19/09/2008

Volume

29

Pages

451 - 463

Keywords

Animals, Autoantigens, CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes, CD40 Antigens, CD40 Ligand, Epithelial Cells, Humans, Mice, Mice, Knockout, Nuclear Proteins, Self Tolerance, Thymus Gland, Trans-Activators, Transcription Factors