Growth and differentiation in vitro of the accumulating Lyt-2-/L3T4- subset in lpr mice.
Mice bearing the recessive gene lpr develop an autoimmune syndrome associated with a massive lymphadenopathy, both of which are age and thymus dependent. The predominant accumulating cells in lymphoid tissue of lpr/lpr mice are Thy-1+ but express neither of the mature T cell markers, Lyt-2 or L3T4. We have purified this Lyt-2-/L3T4- subset and examined its phenotype. These cells are not actively cycling, do not express interleukin-2 (IL 2) receptors nor significant levels of antigen receptor, but do express the B cell marker B220. In vitro growth conditions were examined for the lpr Lyt-2-/L3T4- subset. By using a combination of phorbol ester and IL 2, these cells acquired transient expression of IL 2 receptors and grew in an IL 2-dependent manner. Furthermore, these proliferating cells underwent differentiation to a more mature T cell phenotype, with loss of cell surface B220 and acquisition, by a portion, of antigen receptor and Lyt-2. The possible parallels with normal T cell maturation are discussed.
D000818:Animals; D000950:Antigens, Ly / Q000235:genetics; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000235:genetics; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL / Q000235:genetics*; D010641:Phenotype; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000145:classification* / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology
D000950:Antigens, Ly; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D003208:Concanavalin A; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate