Coordinate change in phenotype in a mouse cell line selected for CD8 expression

A CD4+, CD8+ derivative of the CD4+, CD8- cell line SAKRTLS 12.1 was isolated by fluorescence activated cell sorting for CD8+ cells. This derivative showed a co-ordinate change in a number of independent characters: The parental cell line was CD4+, CD8-, CD3+, CD5hi, HSA+, DEXR, CD44hi, while the derivative was CD4+, CD8+, CD3-, CD5(10), HSA+, DEXS, CD44(10). The derivative expressed the Thy-1.1, Ly-2.1, and Ly-3.1 surface antigens, consistent with origin from the SAKRTLS 12.1 parental cell line, and showed a drug resistance profile identical to that of the parent. It was not possible to isolate revertants with a phenotype identical to that of the parental cell line. Activation of the structural gene coding for CD8 alpha chain was correlated with demethylation at several sites. We interpret these results to mean that this CD8+ derivative of SAKRTLS 12.1 arose as a result of an alteration of a gene that coordinately regulates multiple genes whose expression changes during thymocyte differentiation. Gene methylation may contribute, directly or indirectly, to some or all of the changes in gene expression observed.