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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Isolation and Ex Vivo Culture of Vδ1+CD4+γδ T Cells, an Extrathymic αβT-cell Progenitor
Published on: December 7, 2015
A T cell receptor V alpha region selectively expressed in CD4+ cells
S C Jameson1, J Kaye, N R Gascoigne
1Department of Immunology, Research Institute of Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA 92037.
Thymic selection shapes T cell receptors (TCRs). Researchers developed an antibody to study the T cell receptor alpha chain (V alpha 11) repertoire, finding it
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- T cell biology
- Molecular immunology
Background:
- Peripheral T cell receptor (TCR) repertoires are shaped by thymic selection.
- The influence of selection on the TCR V alpha repertoire remains less understood compared to the V beta repertoire.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether thymic selection processes influence the T cell receptor V alpha repertoire.
- To characterize the expression patterns of V alpha 11 in peripheral T cells.
Main Methods:
- Production of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against V alpha 11 using a chimeric TCR:Ig protein.
- Analysis of V alpha 11 expression on T cells from different mouse strains.
- Flow cytometry analysis to determine subset bias (CD4+ vs. CD8+).
Main Results:
- A specific anti-V alpha 11 mAb was generated, recognizing V alpha 11 on T cells from C57 background mice.
- V alpha 11 expression is predominantly found on CD4+ T cells in the periphery.
- Elevated V alpha 11+ T cells in the CD4+ subset were observed in I-E+ strains compared to I-E- strains.
Conclusions:
- Thymic selection, particularly positive selection on MHC class II molecules, influences the V alpha 11 repertoire.
- The V alpha 11 element may play a role in directing T cell selection into CD4+ or CD8+ lineages.
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