clonal selection theory of immunity


clonal selection theory of immunity

The theory that precursor cell lines for lymphocytes are made up of innumerable clones with identical antigen receptors. The clones capable of reacting with autoantigenic components are eliminated or suppressed in the prenatal period. Those clones not eliminated or suppressed react only with specific foreign antigens that fit their receptors, leading to the proliferation of that lymphocyte cell line. Within the body, there are many different lymphocyte clones, each of which only reacts to one antigen (clonal restriction). See also: theory