T cell unresponsiveness correlates with quantitative TCR levels in a transgenic model.
Two lines of transgenic mice were developed which differ in their level of expression of V beta 11. To determine the role of TCR density in tolerance induction, these mice were bred with I-E expressing mice and were investigated for tolerance induction. T cells expressing V beta 11 at high density are deleted by negative selection. T cells expressing < 10% of the normal TCR receptor density are not subject to negative selection and were not activated in vitro. There is a correlation in receptor density in both strains of mice with in vitro activation. These findings support the notion that there is a definable quantitative signal threshold which is critical for tolerance induction.
Homer
R J
RJ
Section of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510.
Mamalaki
C
C
Kioussis
D
D
Flavell
R A
RA
D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018801:CD2 Antigens; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic / Q000276:immunology*; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017634:Self Tolerance / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D018801:CD2 Antigens; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic