T cell receptor delta gene mutant mice: independent generation of alpha-beta T cells and programmed rearrangements of gamma-delta TCR genes

Mutant mice deficient in gamma-delta T cell receptor (TCR) were generated to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the expression of distinct subsets of gamma-delta T cells. The results showed that differential generation of gamma-delta T cell subsets involves an intracellular mechanism acting at the DNA rearrangement level. Furthermore, gamma-delta T cells are not required for the normal development of alpha-beta T cells.