Positive selection of antigen-specific T cells in thymus by restricting MHC molecules

P Kisielow, HS Teh, H Blüthmann, H von Boehmer - Nature, 1988 - nature.com
P Kisielow, HS Teh, H Blüthmann, H von Boehmer
Nature, 1988nature.com
Thymus-derived lymphocytes (T cells) recognize antigen in the context of class I or class II
molecules encoded by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) by virtue of the
heterodimeric αβ T-cell receptor (TCR) 1, 2. CD4 and CDS molecules expressed on the
surface of T cells bind to nonpolymorphic portions of class II and class I MHC molecules and
assist the TCR in binding and possibly in signalling3, 4. The analysis of T-cell development
in TCR transgenic mice has shown that the CD4/CD8 phenotype of T cells is determined by …
Abstract
Thymus-derived lymphocytes (T cells) recognize antigen in the context of class I or class II molecules encoded by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) by virtue of the heterodimeric αβ T-cell receptor (TCR)1,2. CD4 and CDS molecules expressed on the surface of T cells bind to nonpolymorphic portions of class II and class I MHC molecules and assist the TCR in binding and possibly in signalling3,4. The analysis of T-cell development in TCR transgenic mice has shown that the CD4/CD8 phenotype of T cells is determined by the interaction of the αβ TCR expressed on immature CD4+8+ thymocytes with polymorphic domains of thymic MHC molecules in the absence of nominal antigen5. Here we provide direct evidence that positive selection of antigen-specific, class I MHC-restricted CD48+ T cells in the thymus requires the specific interaction of the αβ TCR with the restricting class I MHC molecule.
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