Negative selection and positive selection of T cells occur in which part of the body?

The process of negative and positive selection of T cells occurs in the thymus, which is a specialized organ located in the chest, just above the heart. In the thymus, developing T cells, also known as thymocytes, undergo a critical maturation process that ensures the proper functioning of the immune system.

During positive selection, thymocytes that can adequately recognize self-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules are selected for survival. This process allows only those T cells capable of interacting with MHC molecules to mature, ensuring that they can properly function in immune responses.

Negative selection, on the other hand, is the process whereby thymocytes that strongly bind to self-antigens presented on the MHC molecules are eliminated. This crucial step prevents autoimmunity by ensuring that T cells which could potentially attack the body’s own tissues are removed before they enter circulation.

The liver, spleen, and bone marrow do not play direct roles in the selection processes for T cells. The liver is primarily involved in detoxification, protein synthesis, and metabolism; the spleen filters blood and supports immune functions like responding to blood-borne pathogens; and the bone marrow is primarily responsible for the production of blood cells, including B cells and other immune cells, but