Negative selection

Negative selection is a natural process in the immune system that helps prevent it from attacking the body's own cells. During immune development, immune cells called T cells are tested in the thymus. Those that strongly react to the body's own molecules are eliminated, ensuring only cells that recognize harmful invaders but ignore the body's own tissues remain. This process reduces the risk of autoimmune diseases, where the immune system attacks the body itself. In summary, negative selection acts as a quality control to maintain immune tolerance and recognize foreign threats effectively.