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Analysis of clones derived from human CD7+CD4-CD8-CD3- thymocytes
S M Denning1, D M Jones, R E Ware
1Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710.
International Immunology
|October 1, 1991
Summary
Human triple negative (TN) thymocytes contain precursors for both TCR gamma delta and TCR alpha beta lineages. Many TN thymocytes show early T-cell receptor gene rearrangement before in vitro culture, with TCR gamma delta and NK cells being predominant in vitro clones.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Human thymocyte differentiation is a complex process involving distinct precursor populations.
- Triple negative (TN) thymocytes (CD4-CD8-CD3-) are considered early precursors in T-cell development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differentiation potential of human CD4-CD8-CD3- (TN) thymocytes.
- To identify precursor populations within the TN thymocyte pool.
- To characterize the clonal progeny of TN thymocytes.
Main Methods:
- Clonal analysis of TN thymocyte progeny using a specific in vitro culture system.
- Phytohemagglutinin, IL-2, and irradiated allogeneic lymphoid feeder cells were employed for culture.
- Molecular analysis of freshly isolated TN thymocytes for T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements.
Main Results:
- 48% of TN thymocyte clones differentiated into TCR gamma delta cells, 12% into TCR alpha beta cells, and 34% into CD16+CD3- cells.
- Novel subsets of CD4+CD8-CD3- or CD4-CD8+CD3- thymocytes were observed in 6% of clones.
- Up to 40% of freshly isolated TN thymocytes exhibited TCR gamma, delta, and beta gene rearrangements prior to culture.
Conclusions:
- The human TN thymocyte pool contains precursors for both TCR alpha beta and TCR gamma delta lineages.
- A significant proportion of TN thymocytes have initiated TCR gene rearrangement before in vitro culture.
- TCR gamma delta and NK cells are the predominant clone types emerging from human TN thymocytes in vitro.