The timing of TCR alpha expression critically influences T cell development and selection.
Sequential rearrangement of the T cell receptor for antigen (TCR) beta and alpha chains is a hallmark of thymocyte development. This temporal control is lost in TCR transgenics because the alpha chain is expressed prematurely at the CD4- CD8- double negative (DN) stage. To test the importance of this, we expressed the HY alpha chain at the physiological CD4+ CD8+ double positive (DP) stage. The reduced DP and increased DN cellularity typically seen in TCR transgenics was not observed when the alpha chain was expressed at the appropriate stage. Surprisingly, antigen-driven selection events were also altered. In male mice, thymocyte deletion now occurred at the single positive or medullary stage. In addition, no expansion of CD8 alpha alpha intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) was observed, despite the fact that HY transgenics have been used to model IEL development. Collectively, these data establish the importance of proper timing of TCR expression in thymic development and selection and emphasize the need to use models that most accurately reflect the physiologic process.
Baldwin
Troy A
TA
Center for Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Sandau
Michelle M
MM
Jameson
Stephen C
SC
Hogquist
Kristin A
KA
D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D017637:Clonal Deletion; D004064:Digestive System / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D015870:Gene Expression; D015332:Gene Rearrangement, alpha-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor; D006706:Homeostasis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000235:genetics*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*
D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta