Central tolerance

Definition

Central tolerance is a critical process occurring in the thymus where developing T lymphocytes (T cells) that recognize self-antigens with high affinity are eliminated through negative selection, preventing autoimmune responses.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Central tolerance primarily occurs in the thymus during T cell development.
2. It involves the elimination of self-reactive T cells to prevent autoimmunity.
3. Negative selection is a key mechanism in central tolerance where T cells recognizing self-antigens undergo apoptosis.
4. AIRE (Autoimmune Regulator) is a critical protein involved in presenting self-antigens to developing T cells in the thymus.
5. Defects in central tolerance can lead to autoimmune diseases such as Autoimmune Polyendocrine Syndrome type 1 (APS-1).

Review Questions

• Where does central tolerance primarily occur?
• What happens to T cells that recognize self-antigens with high affinity during central tolerance?
• Name a critical protein involved in the presentation of self-antigens during central tolerance.

Related terms

Negative Selection:

A process where T cells that strongly bind to self-antigens are induced to undergo apoptosis.

Thymus:

A primary lymphoid organ where T cell maturation and central tolerance take place.

Autoimmune Regulator (AIRE): A protein that promotes the expression of peripheral tissue antigens in the thymus for negative selection.