Science · 1994 · 457 citations · 52 references
Life SciencesCell BiologyImmunologyCellular ImmunologyDevelopmental ImmunologyMolecular ImmunologyAntigen RecognitionImmune MaturationLymphocyte DevelopmentMajor Histocompatibility ComplexT Cell BiologyThymic DevelopmentCd4 Positive T CellsMhc Class I MoleculesNegative SelectionPositive SelectionPositive Selection MarkersPositive Selection Of T CellsPositive Selection Of T Lymphocytes
To complete their maturation, most immature thymocytes depend on the simultaneous engagement of their antigen receptor [alpha beta T cell receptor (TCR)] and their CD4 or CD8 coreceptors with major histocompatibility complex class II or I ligands, respectively. However, a normal subset of mature alpha beta TCR+ thymocytes did not follow these rules. These thymocytes expressed NK1.1 and a restricted set of alpha beta TCRs that are intrinsically class I-reactive because their positive selection was class I-dependent but CD8-independent. These cells were CD4+ and CD4-8- but never CD8+, because the presence of CD8 caused negative selection. Thus, neither CD4 nor CD8 contributes signals that direct their maturation into the CD4+ and CD4-8- lineages.
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Mice lacking MHC class II molecules
Dominic Cosgrove, David W. Gray, Andrée Dierich et al. · Cell · 1991 · 850 citations · Full text