Introduction of T cell receptor (TCR)-alpha cDNA has differential effects on TCR-gamma delta/CD3 expression by PEER and Lyon-1 cells.
A TCR heterodimer composed of a TCR gamma-chain and a TCR delta-chain was found to be expressed in association with CD3 by a small population of human peripheral blood T cells, thymocytes, and certain leukemic T cell lines. The leukemic T cell lines PEER and Lyon-1 express such a TCR-gamma delta/CD3 complex at the cell surface. In addition, PEER and Lyon-1 cells transcribe a productively rearranged TCR-beta gene. Introduction of TCR alpha-chain cDNA of human or murine origin resulted in cell surface expression of a TCR-alpha beta/CD3 complex on PEER and Lyon-1 cells. The expression of the TCR-gamma delta/CD3 complex on PEER cells was not affected by introduction of TCR-alpha cDNA. In contrast, introduction of a TCR-alpha cDNA and expression of the TCR-alpha beta/CD3 complex in Lyon-1 cells resulted in the disappearance of the TCR-gamma delta/CD3 complex. These data were confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence, at the protein level and by gene expression analysis. Triggering of the TCR-alpha beta/CD3 complexes by anti-CD3 mAb or anti-TCR mAb resulted in increased internal Ca2+ levels, indicating that these receptors were functional in signal transduction. These results indicate that, besides TCR gene rearrangements, membrane expression of TCR-alpha beta heterodimers may be important in regulating TCR-gamma delta cell surface expression.
De Waal Malefyt
R
R
DNAX Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1104.
Alarcon
B
B
Yssel
H
H
Sancho
J
J
Miyajima
A
A
Terhorst
C P
CP
Spits
H
H
De Vries
J E
JE
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D017252:CD3 Complex; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D015458:Leukemia, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010641:Phenotype; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014162:Transfection
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D004247:DNA; D002118:Calcium