Positive selection dictates T cell-mediated body defense

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26460576
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Immunology
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University (2016); The University of Tokushima (2014-2015)
• Principal Investigator: Takada Kensuke 北海道大学, 獣医学研究院, 准教授 (40570073)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): Takahama Yousuke 徳島大学, 先端酵素学研究所, 教授 (20183858)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 獲得免疫 / 胸腺 / T細胞 / 正の選択

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Positive selection is recognized as a process to determine the T cell repertoire, since it selects potentially useful immature T cells based on the affinity between antigen receptors expressed on thymocytes and self-peptide-MHC complexes on cortical thymic epithelial cells. However, the recent finding of the thymoproteasome, which produces self-peptides in cortical thymic epithelial cells and plays a central role in positive selection, provided us an opportunity to revisit the physiological role of positive selection. In the present study, we analyzed the function of monoclonal T cells that have developed in the thymus of thymoproteasome-deficient mice and found that positive selection affects not only T cell repertoire but also antigen responsiveness and memory formation. Our finding unveiled a novel role of positive selection in T cell development.

Free Research Field

免疫　生体防御