title: The human T-cell receptor beta-chain repertoire: longitudinal fluctuations and assessment in MHC matched populations.
abstract: The influence of the environment and of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in shaping the human T-cell receptor beta-chain variable region (TCRBV) repertoire has not been systematically studied. Here, expression of TCRBV gene families was estimated by a sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method. Serial studies of peripheral blood, performed at 2-week intervals over a 3-month period, revealed that fluctuation in the expression of many TCRBV genes occurred in healthy individuals and in the absence of clinically evident infections. Fluctuation of TCRBV4, TCRBV5.2, TCRBV9, and TCRBV13.1 genes were present in all subjects. Additional TCRBV genes fluctuated in some but not in other individuals. Comparison of the TCRBV repertoire between these unrelated individuals indicated differences in the mean expression of TCRBV5.1, TCRBV9, TCRBV11, TCRBV15, TCRBV17, and TCRBV20 genes. For any TCRBV gene, intersubject differences were generally of a magnitude of twofold or less. Larger differences characterized the TCRBV repertoire of CD4 compared to CD8 cells. Some differences, for example over-representation of TCRBV2 and TCRBV5.1 on CD4, and TCRBV10, TCRBV14, and TCRBV16 on CD8 cells, were present in most subjects. Individuals homozygous for DR2- or DR3-bearing extended MHC haplotypes displayed similar individual variability of TCRBV expression. These data indicate that the circulating TCRBV repertoire in humans is both dynamic and diverse. Both environment and MHC effects contribute to the diversity of TCRBV expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Usuku
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Hatem
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Alper
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Schoenfeld
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hauser
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D015870:Gene Expression; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000235:genetics*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta