Selective expression of CD8 alpha (Ly-2) subunit on activated thymic gamma/delta cells.
Although most cells of the T cell receptor (TcR) gamma/delta lineage are CD4-CD8-, some gamma/delta cells express CD8. We show here that mouse thymic gamma/delta cells express CD8 following in vitro activation by concanavalin A. Staining with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to the CD8 alpha (Ly-2) and CD8 beta (Ly-3) subunits indicates that only CD8 alpha is expressed by these activated TcR gamma/delta cells. Furthermore, immunoprecipitation and reduced/nonreduced gel analysis reveals that thymic gamma/delta cells express CD8 alpha as a homodimer. In contrast, similarly activated TcR alpha/beta cells express a conventional CD8 alpha/CD8 beta heterodimer.
MacDonald
H R
HR
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland.
Schreyer
M
M
Howe
R C
RC
Bron
C
C
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis*; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis*; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta