Central tolerance

Definition

Central tolerance is a process that occurs in the thymus and bone marrow, where developing immune cells (T and B cells) are taught to distinguish between the body's own cells and foreign cells. Cells that react strongly against self-antigens are eliminated, preventing autoimmune responses.

Related terms

Autoimmunity: A condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues as if they were foreign invaders.

Thymus:

A primary lymphoid organ located behind the sternum, where T cells mature and learn to differentiate between self and non-self antigens through central tolerance.

Bone Marrow:

A spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells, including B cell precursors, originate and undergo part of their development process, including aspects of central tolerance for B cells.