Positive and negative selection of T cell receptor V beta domains controlled by distinct cell populations in the thymus.
The role of thymic MHC class II-bearing cells in the selection of the TCR repertoire has been investigated in allogeneic radiation bone marrow chimeras. Positive selection of mature CD4+ T lymphocytes expressing the V beta 6+ TCR domain was found to depend upon radioresistant (presumably epithelial) I-E+ thymic cells. On the other hand, negative selection of CD4+ V beta 6+ cells (which was additionally dependent upon expression of the Mls-1a gene product) was controlled by a radiosensitive I-E+ thymic component (most likely dendritic cells). These data argue in favor of a compartmentalization of positive and negative selection events during T cell development.
Speiser
D E
DE
Institute of Pathology, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
Lees
R K
RK
Hengartner
H
H
Zinkernagel
R M
RM
MacDonald
H R
HR
D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000235:genetics; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D016747:Minor Lymphocyte Stimulatory Antigens; D011836:Radiation Tolerance; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000502:physiology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology*
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D006183:H-2 Antigens; D016747:Minor Lymphocyte Stimulatory Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell