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. 1992 Aug 1;176(2):553–564. doi: 10.1084/jem.176.2.553

A fail-safe mechanism for maintaining self-tolerance

PMCID: PMC2119333  PMID: 1386876

Abstract

Using cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses to the class I histocompatibility antigen Qa1 and to the minor histocompatibility antigen H-Y, we show that the immune system maintains a peripheral screening process that is able to tolerize a wide variety of potentially autoimmune CTL. The critical factor is the presence or absence of specific T helper cells. If T help is available, CTL precursors that recognize antigen are activated. In the absence of help, they are tolerized. Thus, T helper cells are guardians of peripheral tolerance in CTL.

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Selected References

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