Where Do Naive T Cells Reside?

A Naïve T cells are generated in the thymus and recirculate among lymphoid organs.

Where do naive T cells reside following their maturation?

Naïve T cells leave the thymus and home to secondary lymphoid organs. Dendritic cells are the most potent activators of naïve T cells. DCs carry antigen from the periphery to the draining lymph nodes. This migration is associated with “maturation”.

Where are naive T and B cells located?

Lymphocytes mature in the primary lymphoid organs (specifically, T cells mature in the thymus and B cells mature in the bone marrow). Until these cells encounter and recognize an antigen-presenting cell (APC) and differentiate into effector cells, they are known as naïve cells.