Events that regulate differentiation of alpha beta TCR+ and gamma delta TCR+ T cells from a common precursor.
T cells in vertebrates are composed of two distinct lineages of cells distinguished by the type of antigen receptors they express: the conventional population expresses TCR composed of alpha beta heterodimers while a smaller fraction of mature T cells displays gamma delta TCRs on the cell surface. The alpha beta and gamma delta T cells develop from common T-cell progenitors and the alpha beta/gamma delta lineage commitment process should be viewed in the context of the diverse cell fate decision processes crucial for normal cell differentiation from a single pluiripotent stem cell. A major focus in this field has been to determine the role of TCR gene rearrangement and expression in alpha beta/gamma delta lineage commitment. In this review we summarize the current state of understanding in the pattern of TCR gene rearrangement and expression of alpha beta and gamma delta T cells to address this central question of whether or not the lineage commitment is dictated by the state of TCR gene rearrangement.
Kang
J
J
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California at Berkeley 94720, USA.
Raulet
D H
DH
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D015322:Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte; D015329:Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008954:Models, Biological; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*
D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta