Thymic major histocompatibility complex antigens and the αβ T-cell receptor determine the CD4/CD8 phenotype of T cells

Authors:
  • PKP Kisielow
    P Kisielow
  • BSB Scott
    B Scott
  • HKH Kishi
    H Kishi
  • YUY Uematsu
    Y Uematsu
  • HBH Blüthmann
    H Blüthmann
  • HBH Von Boehmer
    H Von Boehmer

Abstract
T-cell receptors and T-cell subsets were analysed in T-cell receptor transgenic mice expressing alpha and beta T-cell receptor genes isolated from a male-specific, H-2Db-restricted CD4-8+ T-cell clone. The results indicate that the specific interaction of the T-cell receptor on immature thymocytes with thymic major histocompatibility complex antigens determines the differentiation of CD4+8+ thymocytes into either CD4+8- or CD4-8+ mature T cells.