Genomically imposed and somatically modified human thymocyte V sub. beta. gene repertoires
- Research Inst. of Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA (United States)
- Univ. of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles (United States)
The effect of thymic selection on the expressed human T-cell antigen receptor {beta}-chain variable region (V{sub {beta}}) gene repertoire was examined by using a multiprobe RNase protection assay. The relative abundance of transcripts for 22 V{sub {beta}} genes (encompassing 17 of the 20 human V{sub {beta}} gene subfamilies) within a thymus, and among 17 thymuses, was variable. On the basis of the presence of corresponding mRNAs, no genomic deletions were detected, but several coding region polymorphisms were identified. Analysis of mature T-cell subsets revealed the absence of complete superantigen-mediated V{sub {beta}} deletions, suggesting that this phenomenon, in contrast to mouse, is uncommon or absent in humans. However, several V{sub {beta}} genes were over- or underexpressed in one or both mature single-positive (CD4{sup +}8{sup {minus}} or CD8{sup +}4{sup {minus}}) thymocyte subsets compared to syngeneic total, mostly immature thymocytes. Whether these changes are induced by relatively weak superantigens or conventional antigens and whether the downshifts are caused by negative selection or lack of positive selection remains to be determined.
- OSTI ID:
- 5015319
- Journal Information:
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America; (United States), Vol. 88:7; ISSN 0027-8424
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Selective inhibition of interleukin 2 gene function following thymocyte antigen/major histocompatibility complex receptor crosslinking: possible thymic selection mechanism
Deletional rearrangement in the human T-cell receptor. cap alpha. -chain locus
Related Subjects
MESSENGER-RNA
DNA HYBRIDIZATION
RFLPS
DNA SEQUENCING
THYMOCYTES
GENETICS
PHOSPHORUS 32
RECEPTORS
ANIMAL CELLS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BIOLOGY
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
HYBRIDIZATION
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MEMBRANE PROTEINS
NUCLEI
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORUS ISOTOPES
PROTEINS
RADIOISOTOPES
RNA
SOMATIC CELLS
STRUCTURAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
550201* - Biochemistry- Tracer Techniques