Learning Objectives

• Understand the basic mechanisms of T cell development
• Appreciate how Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells are generated, the cytokines involved int heir differentiation and cytokines secreted by the different subsets
• Describe the main types of effector T cells and the irrespective functions
• Describe the basic mechanisms CTLs use to kill target cells

T Cell Receptor

• describe the structure of the TCR?
• TCRα locus contains [gene segments] and [genes]?
• TCRβ locus contains [gene segments] and [genes]?
• describe TCR gene rearrangement?
• what determines if a T cell develops into a αβ T cell or γδ T cell?

T Cell Development

• what are the 4 key stages of T cell development?
• what is the role of the thymus in regards to T cell development?
• describe the steps thymic T cell lineage selection?
• the majority of T cells entering the thymus do not leave (98%), why?
• how do mature naïve T cells migrate to secondary lymphoid tissues?

T Cell Activation

• how do APCs prepare antigens for presentation to T cells? - III week 4