Extrathymic selection of TCR gamma delta + T cells by class II major histocompatibility complex molecules.
The influence of MHC antigens on TCR gamma delta usage in CD8+ intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) was examined using a pan-reactive and V delta 4 region-specific MAb. While an average of 30% of IELs from the majority of mice of various MHC haplotypes were V delta 4+, a 2-fold or greater percentage of IELs from H-2k mice were V delta 4+. Analysis of IELs from F1 mice indicated that the increase in TCRs using V delta 4 was likely to be the result of positive selection. The V delta 4 usage patterns of IELs from recombinant inbred strains and from mice recombinant within H-2 revealed that the increase in V delta 4 usage mapped to H-2 and required I-E expression. Moreover, selection of TCRs using V delta 4 occurred in chimeric mice in the absence of a thymus. The results demonstrate an extrathymic selective mechanism for gamma delta TCRs of CD8+ IELs and suggest that these cells may exhibit MHC class II-restricted antigen recognition.
Department of Cell Biology, Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001.
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Lefrancois
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LeCorre
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Mayo
J A
JA
Bluestone
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T
Goodman
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects; D002678:Chimera; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006239:Haplotypes; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell