Abstract
T cells develop in the thymus from blood-borne progenitors derived from haematopoietic tissues. Amongst the mechanisms by which stromal cells in thymic and prethymic tissues influence lymphoid progenitors, recent attention has focussed on the importance of Notch signalling in early T cell development. Here, we review evidence that developing T cells and their progenitors receive signals through Notch receptors as a result of interactions with Notch ligands expressed by stromal cells. In particular, we focus on the role of Notch ligand-expressing stromal cells in regulating key control points during pre- and intrathymic phases of T cell development.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Calcium-Binding Proteins
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Cell Communication
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Cell Lineage
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Hematopoietic Stem Cells / immunology
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Humans
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Liver / embryology
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Liver / immunology
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Membrane Proteins / agonists
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Membrane Proteins / physiology*
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Proteins / agonists
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Receptors, Notch
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Serrate-Jagged Proteins
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Signal Transduction
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Stromal Cells / physiology
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T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
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T-Lymphocytes / physiology
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Thymus Gland / growth & development
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Thymus Gland / immunology*
Substances
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Calcium-Binding Proteins
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Membrane Proteins
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Proteins
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Receptors, Notch
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Serrate-Jagged Proteins
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delta protein