T cell development in CD8-/- mice. Thymic positive selection is biased toward the helper phenotype.

Journal article

The CD4 and CD8 molecules are involved in T cell differentiation and activation. Nevertheless, efficient thymic maturation of helper T cells has been shown in the absence of the CD4 molecule. These CD4-deficient helper T cells expressed alpha beta-TCR and were able to control Leishmania infections and to mediate Ab class switch. Using mice deficient for the CD8 alpha-chain, we investigated whether a similar cytotoxic T cell population was generated in the absence of the CD8 coreceptor. A CD8-deficient cytotoxic T cell population corresponding to the described CD4-deficient helper T cell population was virtually absent both functionally and physically. These results support the idea that thymic maturation is asymmetrical and strongly biased toward the helper phenotype.

Authors: Bachmann, M; Oxenius, A; Mak, T; Zinkernagel, R

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of Immunology
• Volume: 155
• Issue: 8
• Pages: 3727-3733
• Publication date: 1995-10-01
• EISSN: 1550-6606
• ISSN: 0022-1767
• Language: English
• Keywords: T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer; Mice, Mutant Strains; Phenotype; Flow Cytometry; Mice; Isoantigens; Mice, Inbred C57BL; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Cell Differentiation; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus; Lymphocyte Activation; Animals; Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus