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

• Published in: Human immunology Vol. 32; no. 3; p. 194
• Main Authors: Davey, M P, Meyer, M M, Munkirs, D D, Babcock, D, Braun, M P, Hayden, J B, Bakke, A C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-11-1991
• Subjects: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Base Sequence; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; DNA - analysis; Flow Cytometry; Gene Expression; Genetic Variation; Humans; Molecular Sequence Data; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta - genetics; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - immunology
• ISSN: 0198-8859
• DOI: 10.1016/0198-8859(91)90056-F

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) beta-gene products as part of the alpha beta 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 V beta-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 V beta genes were consistently overrepresented in the CD4 population (V beta-5.1, -6.7a, and -18); some were skewed to the CD8 population (V beta-14) while others showed variable patterns (V beta-12 and -17). Deletion of entire V beta 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.