Regulation of T-cell receptor gamma-chain RNA expression in murine Thy-1+ dendritic epidermal cells.
The epidermis of normal mice contains two distinct populations of dendritic cells derived from the bone marrow, Ia+ Langerhans cells and Ia- cells that express the Thy-1 alloantigen. The Thy-1-bearing dendritic epidermal cells (Thy-1+ dEC) have a surface phenotype similar to that of very early T-lineage cells, produce IL-2-like growth factors and exhibit cytotoxicity which is not restricted by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The relationship of Thy-1+ dEC to the T-cell lineage is unclear. Most T lymphocytes bear a receptor for antigen composed of an alpha chain and a beta chain associated with a nonpolymorphic complex termed CD3 (T3). A minor population carries a receptor in which CD3 is associated with a gamma/delta complex. We have analysed clones of Thy-1+ dEC for rearrangement and expression of the genes for the alpha-, beta- and gamma-chains of the T-cell receptor (TCR). They do not express alpha or beta but do carry a gamma/delta complex. Activation of the cells with Con A is associated with a rapid decrease in the steady-state level of gamma-chain RNA. Because Thy-1+ dEC resemble early stage T lymphocytes, down-regulation of TCR expression may reflect a necessary event during T cell differentiation.
D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005796:Genes; D051379:Mice; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens; D003208:Concanavalin A