T-cell receptor variable β genes show differential expression in CD4 and CD8 T cells

Michael P. Davey, Mary M. Meyer, Dimitri D. Munkirs, Darcie Babcock, Marcus P. Braun, James B. Hayden, Antony C. Bakke

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

Studies in transgenic and inbred strains of mice have shown that the critical molecular interactions controlling positive selection involve major histocompatibility complex (MHC), T-cell receptor (TCR), and CD4 or CD8 coreceptor molecules. Correlations have been established between MHC gene products and the percentage of CD4 or CD8 T cells that express specific variable (V) β-gene products as part of the αβ heterodimer. These studies have important implications regarding potential mechanisms of HLA-linked autoimmune diseases in humans. If similar interactions are required for positive selection in humans, one would predict that the TCR repertoire expressed by mature, peripheral blood CD4 and CD8 T cells would vary. To test this hypothesis the expression of specific TCR Vβ-region genes by CD4 and CD8 T cells from healthy individuals was compared using both triple-color flow cytometry and polymerase chain reaction based experimental approaches. The results show that the TCR repertoire does vary as a function of CD4 and CD8 T-cell subsets. Among unrelated individuals certain Vβ genes were consistently overrepresented in the CD4 population (Vβ-5.1, -6.7a, and -18); some were skewed to the CD8 population (Vβ-14) while others showed variable patterns (Vβ-12 and -17). Deletion of entire Vβ gene families was not observed suggesting that this is a rare event in humans. Attempts to correlate the expressed TCR repertoire in humans with HLA alleles will require consideration of these differences in expression as a function of subset.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)194-202
Number of pages9
JournalHuman Immunology
Volume32
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1991

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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