CTLA-4 on Thymic Epithelial Cells Complements Aire for T Cell Central Tolerance

Researchers found that a small population of medullary thymic epithelial cells expressed the coinhibitory receptor cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4. These CTLA-4+ cells were detectable in perinates, peaked around young adulthood and expanded sixfold in the absence of Aire.