Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated that CD3 is expressed on a subset of thymocytes with a CD4−CD8− (double negative) phenotype1,2. At least some of these cells bear the CD3-associated γδ T-cell receptor (TCR γδ)3,4. Here we describe a second subset of double negative thymocytes which expresses CD3-associated αβ receptors (TCR αβ). Surprisingly, these cells express predominantly the products of a single Vβ; gene family (Vβ8). These CD4−CD8−, TCRαβ+ cells appear relatively late in ontogeny (between birth and day 5 of life) and thus are unlikely to be the precursors to the TCR αβ-bearing cells (CD4+CD8− and CD4−CD8+) already present at birth. They can be selectively expanded in vitro by stimulation with a monoclonal antibody to Vβ8 (F23.1)5 in the presence of interleukin I (IL-1). We propose that this cell type is a unique T-cell population distinguishable from typical TCR αβ+ T cells by its CD4−CD8− phenotype and a restricted TCR Vβ repertoire. Analysis of the unique phenotype of these cells suggests that they may represent the normal counterpart of the defective CD4−CD8− T cells found in the lpr autoimmune mouse.
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Fowlkes, B., Kruisbeek, A., Ton-That, H. et al. A novel population of T-cell receptor αβ-bearing thymocytes which predominantly expresses a single Vβ gene family . Nature 329, 251–254 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/329251a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/329251a0
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