− | During T cell development within the thymus, genes encoding the T cell receptor are rearranged, resulting in adult cells that are able to recognise antigen fragments displayed by the host MHC molecule. Some receptors however will be self-reactive, i.e. they bind too strongly to antigens expressed by the host's own tissues ('''autoantigens'''). As these cells will induce immune reactions that could be damaging to the host ([[Autoimmune diseases - WikiClinical#Autoimmune diseases|Autoimmunity]]), they must be deleted or suppressed. | + | During T cell development within the thymus, genes encoding the T cell receptor are rearranged, resulting in adult cells that are able to recognise antigen fragments displayed by the host MHC molecule. Some receptors however will be self-reactive, i.e. they bind too strongly to antigens expressed by the host's own tissues ('''autoantigens'''). As these cells will induce immune reactions that could be damaging to the host ([[Autoimmune Diseases - Introduction#Autoimmune diseases|Autoimmunity]]), they must be deleted or suppressed. |