title: Expression of T cell receptors by thymocytes: in situ staining and biochemical analysis.
abstract: We have examined the in situ expression of T cell receptor (TCR) V beta 8 protein in murine thymus during ontogeny using the monoclonal antibody F23.1. Positive cells were first detected at day 15 of gestation (0.6%). By day 16 the frequency of positive cells increased dramatically (4.18%). From day 16 to day 17 positive cells doubled (8.17%). The first clusters of F23.1 positive cells were seen at day 17. In the cortex, positive cells decreased from 14% in the newborn mice to 9.8% in 8-week-old mice, whereas in the medulla the frequency remained unchanged at 20%. The antibody F23.1, as well as an antiserum raised against the constant region of the beta chain, immunoprecipitated receptor dimers from highly purified Lyt2+, L3T4+ thymocytes and from two thymic lymphomas of cortical phenotype which express full size alpha and beta mRNA. The receptor dimer could not be precipitated from Lyt2-, L3T4- thymocytes. The results are discussed with regard to intrathymic T cell repertoire selection.
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005865:Gestational Age; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D013945:Thymoma / Q000276:immunology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell