Mutations in T-cell antigen receptor genes alpha and beta block thymocyte development at different stages.
Analysis of mice carrying mutant T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) genes indicates that TCR-beta gene rearrangement or expression is critical for the differentiation of CD4-CD8- thymocytes to CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, as well as for the expansion of the pool of CD4+CD8+ cells. TCR-alpha is irrelevant in these developmental processes. The development of gamma delta T cells does not depend on either TCR-alpha or TCR-beta.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
P
P
Mombaerts
A R
AR
Clarke
M A
MA
Rudnicki
J
J
Iacomini
S
S
Itohara
J J
JJ
Lafaille
L
L
Wang
Y
Y
Ichikawa
R
R
Jaenisch
M L
ML
Hooper
D000818:Animals; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000502:physiology; D015332:Gene Rearrangement, alpha-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015333:Gene Rearrangement, beta-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D016654:Genes, RAG-1 / Q000235:genetics; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009154:Mutation; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*
D016827:CD8 Antigens