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A role for BP-3/BST-1 antigen in early T cell development
A P Vicari1, A G Bean, A Zlotnik
1DNAX Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1104, USA.
International Immunology
|February 1, 1996
Summary
A new antibody, IF-7, identifies pre-T cells by targeting the BP-3/BST-1 molecule. This molecule enhances T-cell proliferation and development, suggesting its role in early T-cell lineage commitment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Pre-T cells in the mouse thymus are characterized by a specific cell surface marker profile (CD3-CD4-CD8-, CD44lo/-, CD25+).
- BP-3/BST-1, a CD38-related molecule, was previously identified as a potential co-activator for pre-B cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify a specific marker for mouse thymic pre-T cells.
- To investigate the function of the identified pre-T cell marker in T-cell development.
Main Methods:
- Development of a rat monoclonal antibody (mAb) IF-7 that specifically binds to pre-T cells.
- Molecular cloning to identify the antigen recognized by IF-7.
- Functional assays including assessment of pre-T cell proliferation, fetal thymic organ culture (FTOC), and lineage commitment analysis.
Main Results:
- The rat mAb IF-7 exclusively recognized pre-T cells.
- The antigen targeted by IF-7 was identified as BP-3/BST-1.
- IF-7 cross-linking enhanced the proliferative response of pre-T cells to anti-CD3 stimulation.
- IF-7 treatment accelerated thymic development in FTOC, without affecting the gamma delta lineage.
- Sorted IF-7+ pre-T cells preferentially differentiated into alpha beta T cell receptor (TCR)+ thymocytes.
Conclusions:
- BP-3/BST-1 is implicated in the growth and development of both early B and T cells.
- BP-3/BST-1 serves as an early marker for the alpha beta T cell lineage commitment.