Class I dependence of the development of CD4+ CD8- NK1.1+ thymocytes.
Year: 1994
Type: article
Abstract: A small subset of functionally active CD4+ CD8- thymocytes express the NK1.1 marker, as do most CD4-CD8- NK1.1+ thymocytes. Previous studies have failed to implicate a role for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) or related molecules in the selection of the CD4+ CD8- NK1.1+ subset. We report here that the development of most of these cells is sharply reduced in class I-deficient mice, but not in class II-deficient mice. Hence, some CD4+ T cells are class I dependent and not class II dependent. Unlike conventional T cells, however, the development of NK1.1+ thymocytes in both the CD4+ CD8- and CD4- CD8- subsets is dependent on class I MHC expression by hematopoietic cells and not thymic epithelial cells. We propose that these populations are selected by nonpolymorphic class Ib or CD1 molecules.
Authors: M C Coles, D H Raulet
Institution: University of California, Berkeley
Language: English
Topic: T-cell and B-cell Immunology
Subfield: Immunology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
Award: G268239311
OpenAlex ID: W2168207353