| Abstract: |
We have previously isolated, and characterized in vitro, two subsets of CD4hi T cell receptor (TCR)hi single positive (SP) thymocytes: CD8− and CD810 In this report, we tlave analyzed phenotypic, functional, and developmental characteristics of these "late" CD4hi SP thymocyte subsets. The TCK h-phenotype and the elimination of T cells expressing TCK Vß segments reactive with endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) products suggested that both subsets had undergone positive and negative selection. CD8-4hi thymocytes were functional, as judged by their ability to: (a) induce lethal graft versus host disease (GVHD); (b) survive and expand in peripheral lymphoid organs; and (c) proliferate, rather than undergo apoptosis, in response to in vitro TCK cross-linking. By contrast, CD8104hi cells could not induce GVHD, were unable to expand (and perhaps even survive) in peripheral organs and underwent apoptosis upon TCK cross-linking. However, when reintroduced into the thymus, these cells matured into functional, long-lived CD8-4hi lymphocytes. These results document an obligatory requirement for the thymic microenvironment in the final maturation of the majority of CD8104hi SP postselection thymocytes, and demonstrate the existence of a previously unrecognized control point in T cell development. © 1995, Rockefeller University Press., All rights reserved. |
| Keywords: |
controlled study; nonhuman; flow cytometry; cd8 antigen; animal cell; mouse; phenotype; animal; mice; cell survival; apoptosis; cell differentiation; mice, inbred balb c; mice, inbred c57bl; lymphocyte differentiation; t lymphocyte receptor; receptors, antigen, t-cell; thymus gland; carrier proteins; major histocompatibility antigen class 2; cd4-positive t-lymphocytes; graft versus host reaction; cell movement; cd4 antigen; antigens, cd; graft vs host disease; lymphoid tissue; cell separation; thymocyte; t lymphocyte subpopulation; lymphoid organ; receptors, cell surface; antigens, cd8; antigens, differentiation, t-lymphocyte; lymphocyte subsets; antigens, cd44; mouse mammary tumor oncovirus; receptors, lymphocyte homing; female; priority journal; article; support, non-u.s. gov't; support, u.s. gov't, p.h.s.
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