Positive selection of Tcrb-V10b+ T cells

The Tcrb-V10b+ T cell population has been examined with a newly established antibody, KT10b, specific for Tcrb-V10b but not Tcrb-V10a. H-2E+ mice have higher levels of Tcrb-V10b+ T cells (4.3%-11.0%) than H-2E- mice (2.2%-4.9%). This difference appears to be determined by levels of Tcrb-V10b+ T cells in the CD4 population. F1 hybrid mice between H-2E+ and H-2E- mice dominantly express higher levels of Tcrb-V10b+ T cells. [NOD (E-) x (NOD x A (E+))F1] backcross mice show positive selection of Tcrb-V10b+CD4+ T cells by H-2E. On the other hand other backcross analyses reveal positive selection of Tcrb- V10B+CD8+ T cells by certain major histocompatibility class I molecules. Involvement of non-H-2 antigens in these positive selections remains to be determined.