title: Characterization of a CD4-positive T-cell line derived from an athymic (nu/nu) mouse.
abstract: We have isolated a Thy-1+, CD3+, CD4+ T-cell line from the spleen of a 12-week-old nu/nu (nude) BALB/c mouse. The cell line is clonal, and it expresses an alpha beta T-cell antigen receptor. Upon activation, these cells secrete IL-2 but not IL-4, putting them in the Th1 category. The cells can be triggered to proliferate and secrete lymphokines in the presence of irradiated syngeneic or allogeneic splenic feeder cells that express a variety of MHC haplotypes. This response is MHC class II-specific, because it can be blocked by either anti-Ia or anti-CD4 antibodies. From the response pattern of this T-cell line, we conclude that it recognizes a common determinant on class II MHC antigens. This nude mouse T-lymphocyte presumably has not undergone thymic selection. Therefore its unique specificity may reflect both the bias of T-cell antigen receptor genes for encoding receptors that recognize MHC molecules and the requirement for functional thymic epithelial cells for the efficient education of a self-MHC-restricted repertoire.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of California, Los Angeles 90024.
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Sydora
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kronenberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D002460:Cell Line; D000939:Epitopes; D015329:Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude / Q000276:immunology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens
chemical_list: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D000939:Epitopes; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens; D015847:Interleukin-4