Work

Absolute requirement for the pre-T cell receptor α chain during NK1.1+ TCRα β cell development

Year: 1999

Type: article

Abstract: Most natural killer T (NKT) cells express a highly skewed alphabeta TCR repertoire, consisting of an invariant V alpha14-J alpha281 chain paired preferentially with a polyclonal Vbeta8.2 chain. This repertoire is positively selected by the monomorphic CD1d molecule expressed on cells of hematopoietic origin. The origin of NKT cells and their lineage relationship to conventional T cells is controversial. We show here that the development of NKT cells is absolutely dependent on expression of the pre-TCRalpha chain, in marked contrast to conventional T cells which arise in significant numbers even in the absence of a functional pre-TCR. Distinct developmental requirements for pre-TCR expression in the NKT and T cell lineages may reflect differences in the ability of the TCRalphabeta to substitute functionally for the pre-TCR in immature precursor cells.

Source: European Journal of Immunology

DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1521-4141(199906)29:06<1966::aid-immu1966>3.0.co;2-g

Authors: Gérard Eberl, Hans Jörg Fehling, Harald von Boehmer, H. Robson MacDonald

Institutions: Ludwig Cancer Research, Ludwig Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Inserm

Language: English

Topic: T-cell and B-cell Immunology

Subfield: Immunology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: F. Hoffmann-La Roche