title: Structure and specificity of T cell receptor gamma/delta on major histocompatibility complex antigen-specific CD3+, CD4-, CD8- T lymphocytes.
abstract: Analyses of TCR-bearing murine and human T cells have defined a unique subpopulation of T cells that express the TCR-gamma/delta proteins. The specificity of TCR-gamma/delta T cells and their role in the immune response have not yet been elucidated. Here we examine alloreactive TCR-gamma/delta T cell lines and clones that recognize MHC-encoded antigens. A BALB/c nu/nu (H-2d)-derived H-2k specific T cell line and derived clones were both cytolytic and released lymphokines after recognition of a non-classical H-2 antigen encoded in the TL region of the MHC. These cells expressed the V gamma 2/C gamma 1 protein in association with a TCR-delta gene product encoded by a Va gene segment rearranged to two D delta and one J delta variable elements. A second MHC-specific B10 nu/nu (H-2b) TCR-gamma/delta T cell line appeared to recognize a classical H-2D-encoded MHC molecule and expressed a distinct V gamma/C gamma 4-encoded protein. These data suggest that many TCR-gamma/delta-expressing T cells may recognize MHC-linked antigens encoded within distinct subregions of the MHC. The role of MHC-specific TCR-gamma/delta cells in immune responses and their immunological significance are discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of Chicago, Illinois 60637.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bluestone
authors.forename: R Q
authors.initials: RQ
authors.lastname: Cron
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cotterman
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Houlden
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Matis
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000502:physiology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D017252:CD3 Complex; D002460:Cell Line; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D015334:Gene Rearrangement, gamma-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta