Abstract
The thymus is the major site for T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement and T-cell maturation1,2. The specific antigen recognition structure (TCR) on murine T cells has been shown to be dependent on a polymorphic set of disulphide-linked heterodimers, containing two integral membrane glycoprotein chains, TCRα and TCRβ, expressed in non-covalent association with an invariant complex of proteins, CD3 (T3)3–6. Recently, a novel TCR/CD3 complex, that includes the product of the TCRγ gene, has been identified on a subset of both peripheral cells and thymocytes7–9. Here we examine the expression of TCR/CD3 complexes in fetal ontogeny and in the adult thymus. The results demonstrate that CD3+4−8−(T3+, L3T4−, Lyt2−) cells are detected in day-15 fetal thymi, throughout fetal development and in adult thymus. In situ hybridization studies indicate that these early CD3+ cells express high levels of TCRγ-specific RNA, low levels of TCRβ-specific RNA and no detectable TCRα-specific RNA. Day-16 CD3+, 4−, 8− fetal thymocytes can be activated to proliferate and demonstrate cytolytic activity when cultured in the presence of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies and interleukin-2 (IL-2). These results suggest that CD3-bearing cells, present early in thymic ontogeny, express a functional TCR and may, therefore, be important in repertoire development.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Scollay, R., Bartlett, P. & Shortman, K. Immun. Rev. 82, 79–103 (1984).
Haars, R. et al. J. exp. Med. 164, 1–24 (1986).
Samelson, L., Harper, J. B. & Klausner, R. D. Cell 43, 223–231 (1985).
Allison, J. P., McIntyre, B. & Bloch, D. J. Immun. 129, 2293–2301 (1982).
Dembic, Z. et al. Nature 320, 232–238 (1986).
Haskins, K. et al. J. exp. Med. 157, 1149–1169 (1983).
Lew, A. et al. Science (in the press).
Brenner, M. B. et al. Nature 322, 145–149 (1986).
Bank, I. et al. Nature 322, 179–181 (1986).
Leo, O., Foo, M., Sachs, D. H., Samelson, L. E. & Bluestone, J. A. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. (in the press).
Pardoll, D. et al. Nature 326, 79–81 (1987).
Staerz et al. Nature 314, 628–631 (1985).
Roehm, N. et al. Cell 38, 577–584 (1984).
Fowlkes, B. J. et al. UCLA Symp. molec. Biol. New Ser. 18, 275–293 (1984).
Fowlkes, B. J., Edison, L., Mathieson, B. J. & Chused, T. M. J. exp. Med. 162, 802–822 (1985).
Fowlkes, B. J. & Mathieson, B. J. Surv. Immun. Res. 4, 96–109 (1985).
de la Hera, A., Toribio, M. L., Marquiz, C. & Martinez, C. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82, 6268–6272 (1985).
Toribio, M. L. et al. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83, 6985–6988 (1986).
Ceredig, R., Dialynao, D. T., Fitch, F. W. & MacDonald, H. R. J. exp. Med. 158, 1654–1671 (1983).
Pierres, A. et al. J. Immun. 132, 2775–2782 (1984).
Segal, D. M. et al. J. Immun. 126, 138–145 (1981).
Harper, M. E., Marselle, L. M., Gallo, R. C. & Wong-Staal, F. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83, 772–776 (1986).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bluestone, J., Pardoll, D., Sharrow, S. et al. Characterization of murine thymocytes with CDS-associated T-cell receptor structures. Nature 326, 82–84 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/326082a0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/326082a0
This article is cited by
-
The anti-inflammatory properties of Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad essential oil attenuate the effects of traumatic brain injuries in rats
Scientific Reports (2016)
-
Tonic ubiquitylation controls T-cell receptor:CD3 complex expression during T-cell development
The EMBO Journal (2010)
-
A positive look at double-negative thymocytes
Nature Reviews Immunology (2002)
-
A role for epithelial γδ T cells in tissue repair
Springer Seminars in Immunopathology (2000)
-
Maturation, selection and specificity of Tcryδ T cells
Immunologic Research (1992)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.