Antigen/major histocompatibility complex-specific activation of murine T cells transfected with functionally rearranged T-cell receptor genes.
The genes encoding the alpha and beta chains of the T-cell antigen receptor isolated from a cytochrome c-specific, major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted murine T-cell hybridoma were introduced into a mouse T-cell line of helper lineage by electroporation. In order to examine the contributions of those gene products to antigen and/or MHC specificity, the resultant transfectants were tested for functional antigen and/or MHC recognition. Only those transfectants that express both the introduced genes (alpha and beta) contributed by the normal T cell can respond specifically to the appropriate antigen/MHC pair. None of the transfectants that express only one of the introduced genes (alpha or beta) of the normal T cell, or paired hybrid genes (i.e., one gene from the normal T cell and the other from the fusion partner), can respond to the same combination of antigen and MHC product recognized by the donor T cell. However, one clone expressing the transfected genes that encode the alpha and beta chains of the fusion partner shows reactivity to the antigen-presenting cells even in the absence of the antigens. These data suggest that the alpha beta heterodimer of the T-cell receptor is required to define the fine specificity of a T cell.
Kuo
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CL
Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91125.
Hood
L
L
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D003574:Cytochrome c Group / Q000235:genetics; D004274:DNA, Recombinant / Q000378:metabolism; D005796:Genes; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D051379:Mice; D010957:Plasmids; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014162:Transfection
D003574:Cytochrome c Group; D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D006680:HLA Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell