Natural killer-like T cells develop in SJL mice despite genetically distinct defects in NK1.1 expression and in inducible interleukin-4 production.
An unusual subset of mature T cells expresses natural killer (NK) cell-related surface markers such as interleukin-2 receptor beta (IL-2R beta; CD122) and the polymorphic antigen NK1.1. These "NK-like" T cells are distinguished by their highly skewed V alpha and V beta repertoire and by their ability to rapidly produce large amounts of IL-4 upon T cell receptor (TCR) engagement. The inbred mouse strain SJL (which expresses NK1.1 on its NK cells) has recently been reported to lack NK1.1+ T cells and consequently to be deficient in IL-4 production upon TCR stimulation. We show here, however, that SJL mice have normal numbers of IL-2R beta+ T cells with a skewed V beta repertoire characteristic of "NK-like" T cells. Furthermore lack of NK1.1 expression on IL-2R beta+ T cells in SJL mice was found by backcross analysis to be controlled by a single recessive gene closely linked to the NKR-P1 complex on chromosome 6 (which encodes the NK1.1 antigen). Analysis of a panel of inbred mouse strains further demonstrated that lack of NK1.1 expression on IL-2R beta+ T cells segregated with NKR-P1 genotype (as assessed by restriction fragment length polymorphism) and thus was not restricted to the SJL strain. In contrast, defective TCR induced IL-4 production (which appeared to be a unique property of SJL mice) seems to be controlled by two recessive genes unlinked to NKR-P1. Collectively, our data indicate that "NK-like" T cells develop normally in SJL mice despite genetically distinct defects in NK1.1 expression and inducible IL-4 production.
Beutner
U
U
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland.
Launois
P
P
Ohteki
T
T
Louis
J A
JA
MacDonald
H R
HR
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D000950:Antigens, Ly; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000235:genetics; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008040:Genetic Linkage / Q000276:immunology; D005838:Genotype; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB; D055651:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
D000941:Antigens; D000950:Antigens, Ly; D000954:Antigens, Surface; C527211:Klrb1c protein, mouse; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D055651:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B; D011506:Proteins; D015847:Interleukin-4