Mouse gamma delta TCR+NK1.1+ thymocytes specifically produce interleukin-4, are major histocompatibility complex class I independent, and are developmentally related to alpha beta TCR+NK1.1+ thymocytes.
Mouse T cells co-expressing an alpha beta T cell receptor (TCR) and the NK1.1 antigen have been shown to be major interleukin (IL)-4-producing cells and could therefore regulate cell-mediated immune responses. We have identified a related sub-set of thymocytes co-expressing a gamma delta TCR and NK1.1 which also produce IL-4. Unlike alpha beta +NK1.1+ thymocytes, the selection of gamma delta +NK1.1+ thymocytes is not dependent upon beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m)-associated class I molecule expression because these cells are present in beta 2m-deficient mice. This suggests that gamma delta +NK1.1+ T cells may regulate immune responses to a different variety of antigens. However, the development of alpha beta +NK1.1+ and gamma delta +NK1.1+ thymocytes appears to be related. Analysis of different mutant mice lacking alpha beta +NK1.1+ thymocytes revealed a specific increase in gamma delta +NK1.1+ thymocyte production when the block in alpha beta +NK1.1+ thymocyte differentiation occurs after beta TCR rearrangement.
Vicari
A P
AP
DNAX Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1104, USA. vicari@dnax.org
Mocci
S
S
Openshaw
P
P
O'Garra
A
A
Zlotnik
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D000950:Antigens, Ly; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D055651:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000032:analysis*; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000032:analysis*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
D000941:Antigens; D000950:Antigens, Ly; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D006183:H-2 Antigens; C527211:Klrb1c protein, mouse; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D055651:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B; D011506:Proteins; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D015847:Interleukin-4