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Characterization of T cell clones from an athymic mouse
S R Abromson-Leeman1, S Jayaraman, M E Dorf
1Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|April 1, 1990
Summary
Researchers cloned T cells from athymic mice, revealing diverse specificities and immune defects. This study characterizes the spectrum of T cells and their functional heterogeneity in congenital athymia.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Thy-1+ lymphocytes are present in athymic mice but clonal analysis has been limited.
- Previous studies showed defects in T cell proliferation and response to mitogenic stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clone and maintain T cells from athymic mice in long-term culture.
- To analyze the clonal heterogeneity and immune defects of T cells in congenital athymia.
Main Methods:
- T cells were cloned from an athymic mouse stimulated in vitro with allogeneic spleen cells.
- Clones were maintained in long-term culture and characterized for surface markers (CD4, CD8, Thy-1, CD3), antigen specificity, and lymphokine production (IL-2, IL-4).
- Interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression and proliferative responses were assessed.
Main Results:
- Ten Thy-1+ clones were obtained: 7 CD4+CD8- and 3 CD4-CD8+.
- Diverse specificities were observed, including autoreactive, Mls-reactive, and allo-specific clones.
- Some clones produced IL-2/IL-4 upon T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation, while others required exogenous lymphokines; low IL-2R expression correlated with poor proliferation.
Conclusions:
- Congenitally athymic mice possess a spectrum of T cells with varied antigen specificities.
- T cells from athymic mice exhibit heterogeneity in immune defects, including lymphokine production and proliferative capacity.
- This study provides insights into the clonal level characterization of T cell populations in the absence of a thymus.