Abstract: |
We have previously described MTS-32 as identifying an Ag on both thymic stromal cells and thymocytes. In contrast with CD4+8+ and CD4-8+ thymocytes, of which the vast majority are MTS-32+, a notable subset of CD4+8- thymocytes is MTS-32-. Here we show that with regard to heat- stable Ags, Qa-2, and CD69 expression CD4+8- MTS-32- thymocytes are phenotypically enriched in mature cells when compared with their MTS-32+ counterparts. Moreover, sorted CD4+8-MTS-32+ thymocytes are unable to respond to anti-CD3 cross-linking, whereas MTS-32-CD4+8- thymocytes respond to the same stimulus by producing IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IFN-γ, and trace amounts of IL-2. In addition, MTS-32-CD4+8- and CD4-8-TCR-αβ+ thymocytes differ in their TCR Vβ repertoire on a Mls-1a selecting background. We therefore suggest that the MTS-32 ligand is involved in signals consecutive with TCR recognition in the thymus, i.e., selection, activation, and lymphokine production. |
Keywords: |
signal transduction; nonhuman; cd8 antigen; antigen expression; antigens, cd3; animal cell; mouse; animals; mice; interleukin 2; cell maturation; interleukin 10; interleukin 4; interleukin 5; cell differentiation; monoclonal antibody; t lymphocyte receptor; lymphocyte activation; antibodies, monoclonal; gamma interferon; cd4-positive t-lymphocytes; protein secretion; immunostimulation; t-lymphocyte subsets; cd4 antigen; thymocyte; ligand binding; receptors, antigen, t-cell, alpha-beta; antigens, cd8; cross linking; cross-linking reagents; lymphocyte subpopulation; mice, inbred dba; antilymphocyte serum; female; priority journal; article; lymphokines
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