Immune tolerance is a crucial function of the immune system, allowing it to differentiate between harmless and harmful antigens. This ability is essential for preventing inappropriate immune responses that could lead to autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own healthy cells.

Immune tolerance can be defined as the capacity of the immune system to ignore specific molecules, particularly harmless antigens. The primary goal is to ensure that the immune system only targets dangerous antigens, such as pathogens and cancer cells, while tolerating benign substances like normal microflora and healthy self-cells.

In the context of the adaptive immune system, T cells play a significant role in establishing this tolerance. These cells learn to recognize and tolerate harmless antigens, which allows them to focus their efforts on combating harmful invaders. The distinction made by T cells is vital; without it, the immune system would struggle to identify threats, leading to potential attacks on the body’s own tissues.

Understanding immune tolerance is foundational for exploring related topics, such as autoimmune diseases, where this balance is disrupted. As we delve deeper into the subject, we will uncover more about the mechanisms and implications of immune tolerance in health and disease.