T cell deletion follows chronic antigen specific T cell activation in vivo.
Exposure of mice transgenic for a TCR (F5) to cognate peptide antigen results in thymic depletion of CD4+CD8+ cells and expansion and activation of peripheral CD8+ TCR(tg)+ T cells. In the thymus apoptotic DNA ladder is evident as early as 3 h after peptide injection. Long exposure of intact or thymectomized F5 TCR transgenic mice to peptide antigen leads to depletion of most of the peripheral CD8+ T cells bearing the F5 receptor, with the remaining cells having lower levels of transgenic TCR compared with non-treated animals. In the thymus of intact F5 TCR transgenic mice such continuous exposure to antigen results in the reappearance of CD4+CD8+ with lower levels of the transgenic receptor.
Mamalaki
C
C
Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Institute for Medical Research, London, UK.
Tanaka
Y
Y
Corbella
P
P
Chandler
P
P
Simpson
E
E
Kioussis
D
D
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*
D000941:Antigens; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D004247:DNA