Analysis of T cell receptor transcripts using the polymerase chain reaction.

ABSTRACT

The immune system is composed of two major types of lymphocytes, called B and T cells, that recognize foreign antigens. Recognition of antigens is accomplished through the generation of a large repertoire of different cell surface receptors, called immunoglobulins (Igs) on B cells and T cell receptors (TCRs) on T cells. The elucidation of Ig structure and molecular genetics preceded that of the TCR because of the greater abundance of Ig protein and mRNA. Although studies of TCRs have recently shed light on many of the issues of T cell recognition, the process of examining TCR gene structure has been tedious. Such analyses are also difficult because of the time required for the production, maintenance, and culturing of T cell clones. This report describes several strategies that use the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to analyze very rapidly the structure of TCRs. Specific manipulations of the amplified material are discussed, as are the advantages of using the PCR to study TCR diversity.