On the role of MHC class II molecules in the survival and lymphopenia-induced proliferation of peripheral CD4+ T cells.
CD4(+) T cells expand after transfer into lymphopenic H-2(b) A(beta)-/- mice (I-A(beta)-, I-E(alpha)-deficient mice) but not after transfer into lymphopenic MHC II(Delta/Delta) mice (I-A(alpha)-, I-A(beta)-, I-E(alpha)-, and I-E(beta)-deficient mice), implying that in H-2(b) A(beta)-/- mice, A(alpha) chain and E(beta) chain associate to form a hybrid A(alpha)E(beta) MHC class II molecule. In light of this unexpected result, we reexamined the MHC class II requirement in the survival and lymphopenia-induced proliferation of CD4(+) T cells. Here we show that expansion, but not short-term survival, of CD4(+) T cells depends on interactions with MHC class II molecules in lymphopenic mice. Nevertheless, interactions with classical MHC class II molecules are required for CD4(+) T cells to survive in CD8(+) T-cell-containing mice.
Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U561, Hôpital Saint Vincent de Paul, 75014 Paris, France.
Bruno
B
Martin
Christine
C
Bourgeois
Nicole
N
Dautigny
Bruno
B
Lucas
D019264:Adoptive Transfer; D000818:Animals; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D017353:Gene Deletion; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D015996:Survival Rate
D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II