T cells as antigen-presenting cells

Human T cells express major histocompatability complex (MHC) class II antigens and adhesion molecules characteristics of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), and recent in vitro and in vivo evidence supports and antigen-presenting function for T cells. In this guise, T cells provide downregulatory signals for the immune response by inducing anergy in T cells that have already been activated and cytotoxicity in resting T cells. Here, Werner Pichler and Tony Wyss-Coray suggest that this may represent an important negative mechanism for T-cell homeostasis.