Aire及其在胸腺上皮细胞发育和免疫耐受中的作用

Aire and its role in the development of thymic epithelial cells and immune tolerance

胸腺是支持T细胞发育和选择的主要淋巴器官,胸腺上皮细胞(TECs)为T细胞的发育和成熟提供必要的微环境。自身免疫调节蛋白(Aire)在TECs发育过程中发挥着至关重要的作用,通过诱导胸腺髓质内数百种组织特异性抗原的表达来协调胸腺细胞的阴性选择。现主要综述Aire的结构和功能及其表达调节,以及近年来发现的Aire在胸腺上皮细胞发育和免疫耐受中的作用。

Thymus is the main lymphoid organ which supports T cell development and selection. Thymic epithelial cells(TECs) provide necessary microenvironment for the development and maturation of T cells. Aire plays an important role in the development of TECs. It coordinates the negative selection of thymocytes by inducing the expression of hundreds of tissue-specific antigens in thymic medulla. This paper reviews the structure, function and regulation of Aire, and its role in the development of thymic epithelial cells and immune tolerance.