Expression of T cell receptor-alpha and -beta subunits in human thymocytes. An immunocytologic study.
The expression of the T cell receptor (Ti)-alpha and -beta subunits in human thymocytes was studied with the use of two rabbit antisera directed at constant regions of human Ti-alpha- and Ti-beta-chains (H36 and H38, respectively). Immunoperoxidase techniques were employed to count by light and elec...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal article |
| Language: | English |
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1987
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| _version_ | 1797059097937313792 |
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| author | Maggiano, N Larocca, L Piantelli, M Acuto, O Musiani, P |
| author_facet | Maggiano, N Larocca, L Piantelli, M Acuto, O Musiani, P |
| author_sort | Maggiano, N |
| collection | OXFORD |
| description | The expression of the T cell receptor (Ti)-alpha and -beta subunits in human thymocytes was studied with the use of two rabbit antisera directed at constant regions of human Ti-alpha- and Ti-beta-chains (H36 and H38, respectively). Immunoperoxidase techniques were employed to count by light and electron microscopy the cells, in the various thymocyte subsets, bearing Ti-alpha and Ti-beta subunits. Of the unfractionated thymocytes, 88% +/- 5 SD and 56% +/- 8 SD were labeled by H38 and H36, respectively. More than 90% of cells in cluster of differentiation (CD)-1+ (mainly cortical) and CD1-CD3+ (mainly medullary) subsets were stained with H38. When tested by H36, 51% +/- 6 SD of CD1+ and 81% +/- 8 SD of CD1-CD3+ thymocytes were positive. In the immature CD3-CD1- subpopulation, less than 3% of cells reacted with H36, whereas 15% +/- 3 SD were stained by H38. Flow cytometry revealed that CD1+ (mainly cortical) thymocytes expressed CD3 surface antigen in a percentage similar to that of CD1+ cells positive for Ti-alpha subunits. Indirect double labeling procedures with immunogold- and peroxidase-conjugated second antibodies demonstrated that almost all CD1+/Ti-alpha + cells expressed the surface CD3 antigen, whereas a large proportion of CD1+/Ti-beta + cells did not. These results indicate a sequential expression of Ti-beta and Ti-alpha subunits during intrathymic T cell differentiation. They also suggest that assembly and surface expression of the CD3-Ti complex are linked to the production of Ti-alpha-chains in addition to Ti-beta subunits. Last, the expression of Ti-alpha and Ti-beta subunits was studied in peanut agglutinin (PNA)+, CD1+ blasts representing the main, spontaneously proliferating intrathymic pool. The lack of Ti-alpha and Ti-beta subunits and the absence of surface CD3 antigen on most of these blasts suggest that immature T cells are compelled to proliferate in the thymus in a CD3-Ti complex independent manner. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-06T19:59:27Z |
| format | Journal article |
| id | oxford-uuid:26c24308-f131-42ba-a456-4a04eb7fa51a |
| institution | University of Oxford |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-06T19:59:27Z |
| publishDate | 1987 |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | oxford-uuid:26c24308-f131-42ba-a456-4a04eb7fa51a2022-03-26T12:02:58ZExpression of T cell receptor-alpha and -beta subunits in human thymocytes. An immunocytologic study.Journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:26c24308-f131-42ba-a456-4a04eb7fa51aEnglishSymplectic Elements at Oxford1987Maggiano, NLarocca, LPiantelli, MAcuto, OMusiani, PThe expression of the T cell receptor (Ti)-alpha and -beta subunits in human thymocytes was studied with the use of two rabbit antisera directed at constant regions of human Ti-alpha- and Ti-beta-chains (H36 and H38, respectively). Immunoperoxidase techniques were employed to count by light and electron microscopy the cells, in the various thymocyte subsets, bearing Ti-alpha and Ti-beta subunits. Of the unfractionated thymocytes, 88% +/- 5 SD and 56% +/- 8 SD were labeled by H38 and H36, respectively. More than 90% of cells in cluster of differentiation (CD)-1+ (mainly cortical) and CD1-CD3+ (mainly medullary) subsets were stained with H38. When tested by H36, 51% +/- 6 SD of CD1+ and 81% +/- 8 SD of CD1-CD3+ thymocytes were positive. In the immature CD3-CD1- subpopulation, less than 3% of cells reacted with H36, whereas 15% +/- 3 SD were stained by H38. Flow cytometry revealed that CD1+ (mainly cortical) thymocytes expressed CD3 surface antigen in a percentage similar to that of CD1+ cells positive for Ti-alpha subunits. Indirect double labeling procedures with immunogold- and peroxidase-conjugated second antibodies demonstrated that almost all CD1+/Ti-alpha + cells expressed the surface CD3 antigen, whereas a large proportion of CD1+/Ti-beta + cells did not. These results indicate a sequential expression of Ti-beta and Ti-alpha subunits during intrathymic T cell differentiation. They also suggest that assembly and surface expression of the CD3-Ti complex are linked to the production of Ti-alpha-chains in addition to Ti-beta subunits. Last, the expression of Ti-alpha and Ti-beta subunits was studied in peanut agglutinin (PNA)+, CD1+ blasts representing the main, spontaneously proliferating intrathymic pool. The lack of Ti-alpha and Ti-beta subunits and the absence of surface CD3 antigen on most of these blasts suggest that immature T cells are compelled to proliferate in the thymus in a CD3-Ti complex independent manner. |
| spellingShingle | Maggiano, N Larocca, L Piantelli, M Acuto, O Musiani, P Expression of T cell receptor-alpha and -beta subunits in human thymocytes. An immunocytologic study. |
| title | Expression of T cell receptor-alpha and -beta subunits in human thymocytes. An immunocytologic study. |
| title_full | Expression of T cell receptor-alpha and -beta subunits in human thymocytes. An immunocytologic study. |
| title_fullStr | Expression of T cell receptor-alpha and -beta subunits in human thymocytes. An immunocytologic study. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Expression of T cell receptor-alpha and -beta subunits in human thymocytes. An immunocytologic study. |
| title_short | Expression of T cell receptor-alpha and -beta subunits in human thymocytes. An immunocytologic study. |
| title_sort | expression of t cell receptor alpha and beta subunits in human thymocytes an immunocytologic study |
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