Inverse correlation between steady-state RNA and cell surface T cell receptor levels.
The relationship between steady-state RNA and cell surface levels of T cell receptor (TCR) was examined in mature T cells and immature CD4+CD8+ double positive thymocytes. TCR is expressed at high levels on the surface of mature T cells and at much lower levels on double positive thymocytes. We demonstrate that in direct contrast to surface expression, TCR-alpha, -beta, CD3-delta, -epsilon, -gamma, and sigma RNA levels are much higher in the immature double positive thymocyte population than in mature T cells. These results demonstrate that quantitative differences in TCR surface expression in immature and mature T cells are not due to increases in TCR RNA levels.
Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
J E
JE
Maguire
S A
SA
McCarthy
A
A
Singer
D S
DS
Singer
D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009928:Organ Specificity; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D012313:RNA