Frequency analysis of cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors in chimeric mice. Evidence for intrathymic maturation of clonally distinct self-major histocompatibility complex- and allo-major histocompatiblilty complex-restricted virus-specific T cells

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981 · J. Exp. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.153.6.1517· OSTI ID:5736758

Wagner, H; Hardt, C; Bartlett, R; Stockinger, H; Roellinghoff, M; Rodt, H; Pfizenmaier, K

To study whether the thymic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) imposes a constraint on the receptor repertoire of maturating cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) precursors, the restriction phenotypes of virus-specific CTL of MHC-compatible and of MHC-incompatible thymus- and bone marrow-grafted (A X B)F1 chimeric mice were compared. Dependent on the mode of in vitro sensitization, thymocytes or splenocytes of both types of chimeric mice generated Sendai virus-specific, self-MHC-or allo-MHC-restricted CTL. By applying the limiting-dilution technique, the CTL-precursor (CTL-P) frequencies of self-MHC-restricted and allo-MHC-restricted virus-specific T cells as well as of alloreactive T cells were determined. The data obtained revealed that independent of MHC differences between thymus and bone marrow, the frequencies of self-MHC-restricted and allo-MHC-restricted CTL-P were comparable, and in the same older of magnitude as those previously determined in conventionally reared mice. Self-MHC-restricted, virus-specific CTL-P were in a three- to fivefold excess over allo-MHC-restricted CTL-P. A segregation analysis revealed that clonally distinct CTL-P give rise to either self-restricted or allo-MHC-restricted, virus-specific CTL. Both sets were found not only in the spleen, but also in the thymus of chimeric mice, formally demonstrating the intrathymic differentiation pathway of self-MHC as well of allo-MHC-restricted CTL-P. These data reveal no major constraint of the thymic MHC on the capacity of T cells to recognize viral antigens either in the context of self-MHC or of allogeneic MHC products.

• OSTI ID: 5736758
• Journal Information: J. Exp. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Exp. Med.; (United States) Vol. 153:6; ISSN JEMEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550300* -- Cytology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
BONE MARROW
CELL CULTURES
CELL DIFFERENTIATION
CHIMERAS
CLONE CELLS
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
DATA ANALYSIS
HEMATOPOIETIC SYSTEM
LEUKOCYTES
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
LYMPHOCYTES
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
MICE
MICROORGANISMS
MOSAICISM
ORGANS
PARASITES
RODENTS
SOMATIC CELLS
THYMUS
TISSUES
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES
VIRUSES