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An analysis of α/β TCR V gene expression in the human thymus
- Source :
- International Immunology. 3:699-702
- Publication Year :
- 1991
- Publisher :
- Oxford University Press (OUP), 1991.
-
Abstract
- We have previously analysed alpha/beta T cell receptor (TCR) V gene usage in CD4+ and CD8+ subpopulations from human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and umbilical cord blood, and described a biased usage of some of the TCR V beta genes towards the CD4+ subpopulation. In this report, the TCR V gene usage in single positive (SP) CD4+ or CD8+ human thymocytes was analysed. Three previously described mAb with a biased usage in PBL and umbilical cord blood also had a skewed reactivity towards the CD4+ subpopulation in SP human thymocytes. Thus, in all 12 cases V beta 5.1 and V beta 6.7, and in 11/12 cases V beta 12 were preferentially used in the CD4+CD8-, compared to the CD4-CD8+ thymic subpopulation. Altogether, these results suggest a selection process in the thymus, supposedly through the positive influence of MHC class II determinants, to be responsible for this non-random, skewed TCR V gene usage.
Details
- ISSN :
- 14602377 and 09538178
- Volume :
- 3
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- International Immunology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........0cb847ca6ee0631f78727b641a4c5e8f