T cell homeostasis

Abstract

The pool of mature T cells comprises a heterogeneous mixture of naive and memory CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells. These cells are long lived at a population level but differ markedly in their relative rates of turnover and survival. Here, we review how contact with exogenous stimuli, notably self MHC ligands and various γ_c cytokines, plays a decisive role in controlling normal T cell homeostasis.