Differential Avidity Hypothesis
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The Differential Avidity Hypothesis (or simply Avidity Hypothesis) is one of two models that attempt to explain how humans have immunity despite such aggressive selection (positive and negative) to kill developing T cells during their maturation process. The other model is the Differential Signaling Hypothesis.
The Avidity hypothesis states that the affinity of the T-cell receptor for the MHC:peptide complex along with the density of the complex provide different signal strength upon binding which in terms dictate the outcome:
- strong signal leads to negative selection and thus apoptosis.
- weak signal leads to positive selection and thus rescued from apoptosis.
[edit] See also
- T cell
- Differential Signaling Hypothesis - Another model to explain survival of T cells despite selection.
