The common cytokine receptor gamma chain controls survival of gamma/delta T cells.
J Exp Med
; 186(8): 1277-85, 1997 Oct 20.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-9334367
ABSTRACT
We have investigated the role of common gamma chain (gamma c)-signaling pathways for the development of T cell receptor for antigen (TCR)-gamma/delta T cells. TCR-gamma/delta-bearing cells were absent from the adult thymus, spleen, and skin of gamma c-deficient (gamma c-) mice, whereas small numbers of thymocytes expressing low levels of TCR-gamma/delta were detected during fetal life. Recent reports have suggested that signaling via interleukin (IL)-7 plays a major role in facilitating TCR-gamma/delta development through induction of V-J (variable-joining) rearrangements at the TCR-gamma locus. In contrast, we detected clearly TCR-gamma rearrangements in fetal thymi from gamma c- mice (which fail to signal in response to IL-7) and reduced TCR-gamma rearrangements in adult gamma c thymi. No gross defects in TCR-delta or TCR-beta rearrangements were observed in gamma c- mice of any age. Introduction of productively rearranged TCR V gamma 1 or TCR V gamma 1/V delta 6 transgenes onto mice bearing the gamma c mutation did not restore TCR-gamma/delta development to normal levels suggesting that gamma c-dependent pathways provide additional signals to developing gamma/delta T cells other than for the recombination process. Bcl-2 levels in transgenic thymocytes from gamma c- mice were dramatically reduced compared to gamma c+ transgenic littermates. We favor the concept that gamma c-dependent receptors are required for the maintenance of TCR-gamma/delta cells and contribute to the completion of TCR-gamma rearrangements primarily by promoting survival of cells committed to the TCR-gamma/delta lineage.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Subpopulações de Linfócitos T
/
Receptores de Antígenos de Linfócitos T gama-delta
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Receptores de Citocinas
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
1997
Tipo de documento:
Article