Main description:

The thymus is an evolutionarily ancient primary lymphoid organ common to all vertebrates in which T cell development takes place. Failing thymus function is associated with immunodeficiency and/or autoimmunity. In this volume, leading experts provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in thymopoiesis research. The chapters cover the development of the thymic epithelial microenvironment, address the formation of a diverse and self-tolerant repertoire of T cell receptors as the basis for cellular immunity, discuss the mechanisms by which progenitor cells colonize the thymus and detail the molecular basis for T lineage decisions. The reviews illustrate the important role of the multifaceted process of thymopoiesis for adaptive immunity.

Contents:

Development and Function of Cortical Thymic Epithelial Cells
Kensuke Takada, Izumi Ohigashi, Michiyuki Kasai, Hiroshi Nakase, Yousuke Takahama

Mechanisms of Thymus Medulla Development and Function
Graham Anderson, Song Baik, Jennifer E. Cowan, Nicholas I. McCarthy, Kyoko Nakamura, Sonia M. Parnell, Andrea J. White, Peter J. L. Lane, Eric J. Jenkinson and William E. Jenkinson

Self-Peptides in TCR Repertoire Selection and Peripheral T Cell Function
Wan-Lin Lo and Paul M. Allen

Central Tolerance Induction
Maria L. Mouchess and Mark Anderson

Trafficking to the Thymus
Shirley Zhang and Avinash Bhandoola

The CD4/CD8 Lineages: Central Decisions and Peripheral Modifications for T Lymphocytes
Hirokazu Tanaka and Ichiro Taniuchi