An adult thymic stromal-cell suspension model for in vitro positive selection

Dev Immunol. 1998;6(3-4):157-70. doi: 10.1155/1998/10534.

Abstract

Presented here is a cell-suspension model for positive selection using thymocytes from alphabeta-TCR (H-2Db-restricted) transgenic mice specific to the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) on a nonselecting MHC background (H-2d or TAP-1 -/-), cocultured with freshly isolated adult thymus stromal cells of the selecting MHC type. The thymic stromal cells alone induced positive selection of functional CD4- CD8+ cells whose kinetics and efficiency were enhanced by nominal peptide. Fibroblasts expressing the selecting MHC alone did not induce positive selection; however, together with nonselecting stroma and nominal peptide, there was inefficient positive. These results suggest multiple signaling in positive selection with selection events able to occur on multiple-cell types. The ease with which this model can be manipulated should greatly facilitate the resolution of the mechanisms of positive selection in normal and pathological states.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / analysis
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / analysis
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Coculture Techniques
  • H-2 Antigens / immunology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / physiology
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Models, Immunological
  • Peptides / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Stromal Cells / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • Thymus Gland / cytology*
  • Thymus Gland / growth & development
  • Thymus Gland / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte
  • CD69 antigen
  • H-2 Antigens
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Peptides
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta