Maturation and Emigration of Single-Positive Thymocytes. (29th September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Xi; Zhang, Shusong; Li, Pingping; Lu, Jin; Xuan, Qun; Ge, Qing
• Other Names: Tabarkiewicz Jacek Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Clinical & developmental immunology. Volume 2013(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-09-29
• Subjects: Developmental immunology -- Periodicals; Clinical immunology -- Periodicals; Immune System -- immunology -- Periodicals; Immune System -- growth & development -- Periodicals; Immune System Diseases -- immunology -- Periodicals; 571.9638
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/282870
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1740-2522

Abstract

Abstract : T lymphopoiesis in the thymus was thought to be completed once it reaches the single positive (SP) stage, a stage when T cells are "fully mature" and waiting to be exported at random or follow a "first-in-first-out" manner. Recent evidence, however, has revealed that the newly generated SP thymocytes undergo a multistage maturation program in the thymic medulla. Such maturation is followed by a tightly regulated emigration process and a further postthymic maturation of recent thymic emigrants (RTEs). This review summarizes recent progress in the late stage T cell development. The regulation of this developmental process is discussed.