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Key steps in T-cell development During the development process, lymphoid progenitor cells within the thymus receive signals from thymic epithelial cells to initiate proliferation and commitment to the T-cell lineage.
Key steps in T-cell development Developing thymocytes undergo gene rearrangement at their T-cell receptor loci and are tested to ensure productive rearrangements occur before continuing their developmental process.
Key steps in T-cell development The first checkpoint tests for productive rearrangement of the T-cell receptor β chain.
Key steps in T-cell development The second checkpoint tests for productive rearrangement of the T-cell receptor α chain.
Key steps in T-cell development Cells that fail to pass either checkpoint die by apoptosis. Developing thymocytes are often categorized based on the presence or absence of one or both of the T-cell coreceptors CD4 and CD8.