Mutations in T-cell antigen receptor genes alpha and beta block thymocyte development at different stages

P Mombaerts; A R Clarke; M A Rudnicki; J Iacomini; S Itohara; J J Lafaille; L Wang; Y Ichikawa; R Jaenisch; M L Hooper

doi:10.1038/360225a0

Mutations in T-cell antigen receptor genes alpha and beta block thymocyte development at different stages

Nature. 1992 Nov 19;360(6401):225-31. doi: 10.1038/360225a0.

Authors

P Mombaerts¹, A R Clarke, M A Rudnicki, J Iacomini, S Itohara, J J Lafaille, L Wang, Y Ichikawa, R Jaenisch, M L Hooper, et al.

Affiliation

¹ Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

PMID: 1359428
DOI: 10.1038/360225a0

Abstract

Analysis of mice carrying mutant T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) genes indicates that TCR-beta gene rearrangement or expression is critical for the differentiation of CD4-CD8- thymocytes to CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, as well as for the expansion of the pool of CD4+CD8+ cells. TCR-alpha is irrelevant in these developmental processes. The development of gamma delta T cells does not depend on either TCR-alpha or TCR-beta.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Animals
CD4-CD8 Ratio
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / physiology
CD8 Antigens / physiology
Gene Rearrangement, alpha-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor / genetics
Gene Rearrangement, alpha-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor / physiology*
Gene Rearrangement, beta-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor / genetics
Gene Rearrangement, beta-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor / physiology*
Genes, RAG-1 / genetics
Leukocyte Count
Mice
Mice, Inbred BALB C
Mice, Mutant Strains
Mice, Transgenic
Mutation
Thymus Gland / cytology
Thymus Gland / growth & development*

Substances

CD8 Antigens