title: Non random usage of T cell receptor alpha gene expression in atopy using anchored PCR.
abstract: The T cell receptor (TCR) alpha beta heterodimer recognises antigenic peptide fragments presented by Class II MHC. This interaction initiates T cell activation and cytokine release with subsequent recruitment of inflammatory cells. Previous work from our group suggests a qualitative difference in variable alpha gene expression in atopy as compared to non atopic controls. In this study we examine TCR alpha repertoire using anchored PCR to provide a quantitative assessment of the V alpha and J alpha repertoire. One atopic (DRB1*0701,DRB1*15: DRB4*0101, DRB5*01: DQB1* 0303, DQB1*601/2) and one non-atopic (DRB1*0701,DRB1*03011/2: DRB4*01, DRB3*0x: DQB1* 0303, DQB1*0201/2) control were studied. Variable gene usage was markedly limited in the atopic individual. V alpha 1, 3, 8 accounted for 60% and J alpha 12, 31 30% of the gene usage. There was evidence of preferential V alpha-J alpha gene pairing and clonal expansion. We conclude that there is a marked non random TCR alpha gene distribution in atopy using both V alpha family and anchored PCR. This may be due in part to antigen driven clonal expansion.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Medicine Unit, St. James's University Hospital Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Mansur
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Gelder
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Campell
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cunliffe
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Markham
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Morrison
mesh_terms: D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta