Peripheral tolerance

Definition

Peripheral tolerance is a mechanism that prevents the immune system from attacking the body's own tissues by regulating T cell activity outside of the thymus. It ensures self-tolerance and maintains immune homeostasis.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Peripheral tolerance occurs in secondary lymphoid organs such as lymph nodes and spleen.
2. It involves mechanisms like anergy, deletion, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) to control autoreactive T cells.
3. Anergy is a state where T cells become non-responsive to antigens without co-stimulatory signals.
4. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a crucial role in maintaining peripheral tolerance by suppressing potentially harmful immune responses.
5. Failure in peripheral tolerance mechanisms can lead to autoimmune diseases.

Review Questions

• What are the primary mechanisms involved in peripheral tolerance?
• How do regulatory T cells contribute to peripheral tolerance?
• What could be a consequence of failure in peripheral tolerance?

Related terms

Central Tolerance:

The process of eliminating self-reactive T cells during their development in the thymus.

Anergy:

A state of T cell non-responsiveness to antigen stimulation due to lack of co-stimulatory signals.

Regulatory T Cells (Tregs): A subset of T cells that modulate the immune response and maintain tolerance to self-antigens.