The T-cell receptor V delta genes predominantly used by human peripheral gamma/delta+ T lymphocytes are not rearranged in CD3- natural killer cells.
We have analyzed, in 19 CD3- natural killer cell clones, the genomic organization of the T-cell receptor delta locus with two distinct V delta probes, V delta 1 and V delta 2. These two V delta genes code for surface proteins expressed in more than 90% of peripheral blood T-cell receptor gamma/delta+ lymphocytes, as shown by double color immunofluorescence analysis with anti-TCR delta 1, anti-BB3, and anti-delta TCS1 monoclonal antibodies. The V delta 1 and V delta 2 genes were found to be in germline position in all these clones, which are distinct phenotypically and represent a variety of the corresponding peripheral natural killer cell populations. We also studied in these cloned cell lines the transcriptional activity of the T-cell receptor delta locus with a C delta probe: short transcripts (1.7 and 0.8 kb) were found exclusively. These experiments further suggest that CD3- natural killer peripheral cells are likely to constitute a unique lineage distinct from T lymphocytes.
Roman-Roman
S
S
Département de Biologie Clinique, Institut Gustave-Roussy, Villejuif, France.
Baixeras
E
E
Genevée
C
C
Hercend
T
T
Triebel
F
F
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000235:genetics*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000235:genetics; D017252:CD3 Complex; D002460:Cell Line; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D015342:DNA Probes; D015321:Gene Rearrangement; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D010641:Phenotype; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015342:DNA Probes; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta