[CD4-CD8- to CD4-CD8+ transition induced by anti-CD3 mAb in vitro cell culture system].
In our experiments, we have observed the effect of anti-CD3 mAb in inducing the differentiation of CD4-CD8- (double negative, DN) thymocytes into CD4+ CD8+ (double positive, DP) cells in an in vitro cell culture system including IL-7 for maintaining the growth of TN thymocytes. When TN thymocytes were stimulated by immobilized anti-CD3 mAb for 3 days, CD4-CD8+ cells generated, which were mostly immediate precursors of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes according to their surface TCR beta expression. The transition from DN to DP thymocytes accompanied with downregulation of interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2 R) alpha chain, and the TCR alpha beta-CD3 expression induced by IL-7 was also inhibited. Anti-CD3 mAb was effective only before the appearance of functional TCR-alpha beta-CD3 complex. Taking together, the results strongly suggest that anti-CD3 mAb induced DN thymocyte defferentiation is through the pre-TCR complex.
Tian
L
L
Department of Immunology, Beijing Medical University.
Chen
W F
WF
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000276:immunology*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D015851:Interleukin-7 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D017260:Receptor-CD3 Complex, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D015851:Interleukin-7; D017260:Receptor-CD3 Complex, Antigen, T-Cell; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2