Positive selection of antigen-specific T cells in thymus by restricting MHC molecules (original) (raw)

Nature volume 335, pages 730–733 (1988)Cite this article

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 CD4−8+ T cells in the thymus requires the specific interaction of the αβ TCR with the restricting class I MHC molecule.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Basel Institute for Immunology, 487 Grenzacherstrasse, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland
    Pawel Kisielow, Hung Sia Teh & Harald von Boehmer
  2. Central Research Units, F. Hoffmann–La Roche & Co. Ltd, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
    Horst Blüthmann
  3. The Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
    Pawel Kisielow
  4. Department of Microbiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T 1W5, Canada
    Hung Sia Teh

Authors

  1. Pawel Kisielow
  2. Hung Sia Teh
  3. Horst Blüthmann
  4. Harald von Boehmer

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Kisielow, P., Teh, H., Blüthmann, H. et al. Positive selection of antigen-specific T cells in thymus by restricting MHC molecules.Nature 335, 730–733 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1038/335730a0

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