adaptive immunity and T cells 2

Question 1

where does T cell progenitors originate from and move too

Answer 1

• originate in bone marrow
• migrate to thymus to differentiate and mature

Question 2

when does the thymus start to shrink

Answer 2

within 12 months of life

Question 3

describe the process of progenitors in the thymus

Answer 3

1) progenitors enter cortico-medullary junction
2) travel to periphery of cortex then back through medulla
3) only single positive T cells released

Question 4

what happens to progenitors in the thymus

Answer 4

• undergo differentiation as they migrate
• gene and cell surface marker expression change in the process
• positive and negative selection occurs