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. 2016 Oct 26;60(3):275–301. doi: 10.1042/EBC20160017

Figure 6. TCR and T-cell selection.

Figure 6

(A) The DNA encodes a large number of different possible sequences for the TCR. The code for the part of the TCR that recognizes antigen are selected at random from these sequences. Different structural elements are combined to make the final TCR. The resulting receptor is expressed at the cell surface and tested in the thymus. (B) Cells bearing each TCR are put through a number of screening tests. If the TCR cannot work with the individual's MHC molecules, or if it is useless or dangerous, it is destroyed. If it passes these tests, it is exported from the thymus.