Negative Selection & Lymphocyte Development in Primary Lymphoid Tissue

What happens during negative selection of lymphocytes?

Lymphocytes with functional antigen receptors are tested for reactivity to self molecules. T cells that recognize self-peptide:MHC complexes too well are induced to undergo apoptosis, while T cells that recognize self-peptide:MHC complexes moderately survive.

Where do B cells and T cells develop?

B cells develop in the bone marrow, while T cells develop in the thymus.

What happens during lymphocyte development?

Developing lymphocytes rearrange their receptor genes and undergo positive and negative selection to test for functional receptors that do not react with self-molecules.

What happens to lymphocytes that pass positive and negative selection?

Lymphocytes that pass these tests mature and enter circulation