title: Double-negative (CD4-CD8-) lymphocytes bearing T-cell receptor alpha and beta chains in normal human skin.
abstract: Double-negative (CD4-CD8-) T-cell receptor alpha- and beta-chain (TCR alpha beta)-expressing lymphocytes have been identified in human skin. Two skin-derived lymphocyte cell lines (II-1 and II-2) expressing this phenotype were obtained. They each expressed full-length TCR alpha- and beta-chain transcripts and lacked TCR gamma- and delta-chain as well as CD4 and CD8 mRNAs. These polyclonal cell lines shared one predominant TCR beta-chain gene rearrangement. The CD3/TCR alpha beta complexes were functionally competent as evidenced by their capacity to transduce activation signals resulting in cell proliferation, lymphokine secretion, and cytolytic activity. The demonstration of CD4-CD8-TCR alpha beta lymphocytes as a subpopulation of the skin-associated immune system should contribute to understanding the biologic potential of this cell population as well as of this organ-specific immune system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Groh
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fabbi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hochstenbach
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Maziarz
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Strominger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D002460:Cell Line; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D015342:DNA Probes; D004817:Epidermis / Q000276:immunology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D012016:Reference Values; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D015342:DNA Probes; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell