Hierarchy of responsiveness <i>in vivo</i> and <i>in vitro</i> among T cells expressing distinct MIs‐1^a‐reactive V_β domains

Abstract

In this report we have compared responses of T cells bearing different T cell receptor (TcR) V beta domains, including V beta 6, 7, 8.1 and 9, to the minor lymphocyte stimulatory locus (Mls-1a). The virtually complete deletion of peripheral T cells using these TcR V beta domains in mice expressing Mls-1a verified their Mls-1a reactivity. However, varied responses among these cells following stimulation with Mls-1a in vitro suggested a hierarchy of TcR reactivities for Mls-1a with V beta 6 and V beta 9 greater than V beta 8.1 much greater than V beta 7. This hierarchy was further supported by in vivo studies which showed that V beta 6+CD4+ cells dominated responses to Mls-1a.