Rat T cell response to superantigens. I. V beta-restricted clonal deletion of rat T cells differentiating in rat-->mouse chimeras.
T cells of mice display V beta-specific reactivity for a spectrum of mouse mammary tumor virus (Mtv) antigens; confrontation with these antigens during ontogeny causes substantial "holes" in the T cell repertoire. Since endogenous Mtv antigens are rare in other species, the question arises whether V beta-specific recognition of Mtv antigens is unique to mice. To examine this question, rat T cells were allowed to differentiate from stem cells in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. These rat-->mouse xenochimeras were prepared under a variety of conditions. The results show that rat T cells are strongly reactive to mouse Mtv antigens, both in terms of tolerogenicity and immunogenicity. In fact, the V beta specificity of rat and mouse T cells for Mtv antigens is almost indistinguishable.
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Department of Immunology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037.
Gold
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Wiley
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Wilson
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Sprent
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D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D002678:Chimera; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008324:Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D016513:Mice, SCID; D051381:Rats; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000276:immunology*; D018089:Superantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D018089:Superantigens