− | During T cell development within the thymus, genes encoding the T cell receptors 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 strongly to antigens expressed by the host's own tissues ('''autoantigens'''), inducing immune reactions that could be damaging to the host ([[Autoimmune Diseases - Introduction#Autoimmune diseases|autoimmune diseases]]); they must be deleted or suppressed. | + | During [[T cell]] development within the thymus, genes encoding the T cell receptors 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 strongly to antigens expressed by the host's own tissues ('''autoantigens'''), inducing immune reactions that could be damaging to the host ([[Autoimmune Diseases - Introduction#Autoimmune diseases|autoimmune diseases]]); they must be deleted or suppressed. |