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  • Title: A minimal model for the self-nonself discrimination: a return to the basics.
    Author: Langman RE, Cohn M.
    Journal: Semin Immunol; 2000 Jun; 12(3):189-95; discussion 257-344. PubMed ID: 10910739.
    Abstract:
    An immune system is required in any host that evolves slowly relative to the pathogens that attack it. This immune system must somatically generate and regulate new specificities. We propose a mechanism that results in a self-nonself discrimination that is a one-time regulatory event, which occurs early in development when maternal protection ensures an environment that is free of nonself. Our proposed mechanism considers all T and B cells to arise in an i-state which is incapable of effector reactions. Uniquely in iTh (helpers) a prolonged absence of antigen permits their differentiation to eTh (only nonself antigens are absent). In all i-state cells antigen induces an anticipatory a-state which, in the presence of eTh and via associative recognition of antigen results in the e-state, and which in the absence of eTh results in cell death.
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