Analysis of early fetal T-cell receptor delta chain in humans.
In the mouse it has been found that a number of T-cell receptor (Tcr) gd phenotypes are generated during fetal thymic development. To examine whether such "waves" of Tcrgd phenotypes can be found in man, we studied the V-region usage and junctional diversity of the T-cell receptor delta chain in human fetal and post-partum thymocytes and peripheral blood T cells. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplification technique it was found that in fetal thymocytes of 15-17 weeks of gestation the Tcrd-V3 gene segment was mainly employed, whereas in post-partum thymocytes the Tcrd-V1 gene segment was preferentially used. These Tcrd-V3 transcripts contained only a single D element (D delta 3) and a limited random nucleotide insertion. The D delta 3 element was also present in Tcrd-V3-containing transcripts derived from peripheral blood gamma delta Tcr+ clones. These data suggest that a wave of Tcr gamma delta might exist early in human fetal development that preferentially use the Tcrd-V3 gene segment.
Department of Immunohaematology and Bloodbank, University Hospital, Leiden, The Netherlands.
N
N
van der Stoep
R
R
de Krijger
J
J
Bruining
F
F
Koning
P
P
van den Elsen
D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA