Preferential positive selection of V alpha 2+ CD8+ T cells in mouse strains expressing both H-2k and T cell receptor V alpha a haplotypes: determination with a V alpha 2-specific monoclonal antibody

Eur J Immunol. 1992 Feb;22(2):399-404. doi: 10.1002/eji.1830220217.

Abstract

A monoclonal antibody, B20.1, was generated by fusing spleen cells from a Lou rat immunized with a soluble alpha/beta T cell receptor (TcR; V alpha 2/V beta 2) to mouse myeloma cells. Analysis of a panel of V alpha 2 mRNA-expressing T cell lines, hybridomas and transfectants revealed that the B20.1 antibody was specific for murine TcR V alpha 2 chains. The V alpha 2+ T cell population was examined in various inbred strains by two-color immunofluorescence using B20.1 and CD4- and CD8-specific antibodies with the following results: (a) the B20.1 antibody detected most members of the TcR V alpha 2 subfamily in the four TcR V alpha haplotypes tested; (b) in most strains examined, TcR V alpha 2 expression was biased to the CD4 subset (7.4%-17.4% V alpha 2+ T cells) as compared to the CD8 compartment (3.8%-13.3%); (c) TcR V alpha 2 expression was not influenced by Mls gene products and (d) increased positive selection of V alpha 2+ CD8+ T cells by H-2k major histocompatibility complex molecules occurred in all murine strains tested of the TcR V alpha a, but not in those bearing the TcR V alpha b haplotype.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • CD4 Antigens / analysis
  • CD8 Antigens / metabolism*
  • Gene Rearrangement, alpha-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor
  • Genes, MHC Class I
  • H-2 Antigens / genetics*
  • Haplotypes
  • Hybridomas
  • Mice
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / genetics
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • CD4 Antigens
  • CD8 Antigens
  • H-2 Antigens
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta