Interleukin 4 induces CD8 alpha expression on T cell receptor V gamma 5 thymocytes.
It is generally accepted that most T cell receptor (TcR) gamma/delta cells are CD4-CD8-. After in vitro culture; however, a low percentage of these cells express the CD8 alpha subunit. We show here that addition of recombinant interleukin (IL) 4 to IL 2-cultured murine TcR V gamma 5 thymocytes induces the expression of CD8 alpha; CD8 beta is not expressed. Co-addition of the anti-IL 4 mAb 11B11 abrogates the induction of CD8 alpha expression, ruling out the possibility of a contaminant. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a substantial part of freshly prepared TcR V gamma 5 thymocytes express CD8 alpha.
Leclercq
G
G
Laboratory of Bacteriology, Virology and Immunology, University Hospital, Ghent.
De Smedt
M
M
Plum
J
J
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis*; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015847:Interleukin-4