For effective central T cell tolerance, developing thymocytes must encounter a diverse range of self-antigens presented by various thymic cells. Here, the authors describe how medullary thymic epithelial cells, dendritic cells and B cells are uniquely adapted through promiscuous gene expression, strategic positioning and inflammatory signals, which shape the peptide–MHC ligandomes and extend self-antigen visibility in the thymic microenvironment.
- Ludger Klein
- Elisabetta Petrozziello
