[The role of apoptosis in the development of T cells].

T cells are responsible for the discrimination of self and nonself. To acquire such activities, however, T cells must encounter two selections in the thymus, namely positive and negative selections. Recent data from in vivo and in vitro experiments strongly indicated that apoptosis is involved in these selections, especially in the elimination of the cells reactive to self antigens. This article briefly reviewed the roles of apoptosis in the development of T cells in the thymus.