Positive selection determines T cell receptor V beta 14 gene usage by CD8+ T cells.
We report here a mAb, 14-2, reactive with TCRs that include V beta 14. The frequency of V beta 14+ T cells varies with CD4 and CD8 subset and is controlled by the H-2 genes. Thus CD8+ T cells from H-2b mice include approximately 2.3% V beta 14+ T cells while CD8+ T cells from mice expressing K kappa include greater than 8% V beta 14+ T cells. In all strains examined, 7-8% of CD4+ T cells express V beta 14. The frequent usage of V beta 14 in CD8+ T cells of K kappa-expressing mice is a result of preferential positive selection of V beta 14+ CD8+ T cells as demonstrated by analysis of radiation chimeras. These studies demonstrate that H-2-dependent positive selection occurs in unmanipulated mice. Furthermore, the results imply that positive selection, and possibly H-2 restriction, can be strongly influenced by a V beta domain, with some independence from the beta-junctional sequence and alpha chain.
Liao
N S
NS
Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139.
Maltzman
J
J
Raulet
D H
DH
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D002460:Cell Line; D002678:Chimera; D002999:Clone Cells; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005796:Genes; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell