title: Bimodal distribution of V beta 2+CD4+ T cells in human peripheral blood.
abstract: The distribution of T cells using the V beta 2 gene was studied in a group of 99 humans. The distribution of V beta 2+CD4+ levels was bimodal. Twelve individuals had levels of V beta 2+CD4+ less than 2% and 86 others had values greater than 5%. Only one individual had a value between 2% and 5%. The V beta 2 low (mean 1.3 +/- 0.49) and V beta 2 high (mean 8.2 +/- 1.65) phenotypes were stable. The V beta 2 low phenotype is inherited and not limited to HLA or T cell receptor V beta gene complexes. The CD8V beta 2 levels of CD4V beta 2 low individuals are also low. The residual V beta 2+ T cells in V beta 2 low individuals were not anergic to V beta 2-specific stimulation. These data are compatible with the effects of an endogenous superantigen.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Medicine Unit, University of Leeds.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Reyburn
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Lancaster
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Boylston
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001483:Base Sequence; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010641:Phenotype; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D018089:Superantigens / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D018089:Superantigens