MHC class II-specific T cells can develop in the CD8 lineage when CD4 is absent

Maturational arrest of thymocyte development is caused by a deletion in the receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphatase kappa gene in LEC rats

The Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rat has a spontaneous mutation, T helper immunodeficiency (thid), which causes a markedly reduced CD4(+) thymocyte population. Here we positionally clone the locus and identify a deletion in the gene encoding a receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphatase kappa (Ptprk) that led to complete loss of the transcript. The rat Ptprk gene exhibits 98% identity with the human and mouse counterparts and is expressed most abundantly in the CD4(-)CD8(-) double-negative stage. The downregulation of Ptprk in mouse immature thymocytes by RNA interference mimicked the thid phenotype. These results indicate that thid maps to the Ptprk locus and that functional Ptprk is crucial for lineage commitment or progression of CD4(+) T cells. We also found that Ptprk appears to function in parallel with or downstream of Th-POK/cKrox (also known as ZBTB7B), a master regulator of T cell lineage decision.

Coreceptor signal strength regulates positive selection but does not determine CD4/CD8 lineage choice in a physiologic in vivo model

TCR signals drive thymocyte development, but it remains controversial what impact, if any, the intensity of those signals have on T cell differentiation in the thymus. In this study, we assess the impact of CD8 coreceptor signal strength on positive selection and CD4/CD8 lineage choice using novel gene knockin mice in which the endogenous CD8alpha gene has been re-engineered to encode the stronger signaling cytoplasmic tail of CD4, with the re-engineered CD8alpha gene referred to as CD8.4. We found that stronger signaling CD8.4 coreceptors specifically improved the efficiency of CD8-dependent positive selection and quantitatively increased the number of MHC class I (MHC-I)-specific thymocytes signaled to differentiate into CD8+ T cells, even for thymocytes expressing a single, transgenic TCR. Importantly, however, stronger signaling CD8.4 coreceptors did not alter the CD8 lineage choice of any MHC-I-specific thymocytes, even MHC-I-specific thymocytes expressing the high-affinity F5 transgenic TCR. This study documents in a physiologic in vivo model that coreceptor signal strength alters TCR-signaling thresholds for positive selection and so is a major determinant of the CD4:CD8 ratio, but it does not influence CD4/CD8 lineage choice.

TCR and Notch signaling in CD4 and CD8 T-cell development

The generation of CD4 and CD8 alphabeta T-cell lineages from CD4+ CD8+ double-positive (DP) thymocyte precursors is a complex process initiated by engagement of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) by T-cell receptor (TCR) and coreceptor. Quantitative differences in TCR signaling induced by this interaction impose an instructional bias on CD4/CD8 lineage commitment that must be reinforced by MHC recognition and TCR signaling over subsequent selection steps in order for the thymocyte to progress and mature in the adopted lineage. Our studies show that the transmembrane receptor Notch plays a role in this process by modifying TCR signal transduction in DP thymocytes. In this review, we consider the functional relationship of TCR and Notch signaling pathways in the selection and specification of CD4 and CD8 T-cell lineages.

RasGRP1 Transmits Prodifferentiation TCR Signaling That Is Crucial for CD4 T Cell Development

TCR signaling plays a governing role in both the survival and differentiation of bipotent double-positive thymocytes into the CD4(+) and CD8(+) single-positive T cell lineages. A central mediator of this developmental program is the small GTPase Ras, emitting cytoplasmic signals through downstream MAPK pathways and eventually affecting gene expression. TCR signal transduction orchestrates the activation of Ras by integrating at least two Ras-guanyl nucleotide exchange factors, RasGRP1 and Sos. In this study, we have characterized the relationship between RasGRP1 function and its potential roles in promoting ERK activity, cell survival, maturation, and lineage commitment. Investigations on RasGRP1(-/-) mice expressing a transgenic (Tg) MHC class II-restricted TCR revealed that the development of CD4 T cells expressing this Tg TCR is completely dependent on RasGRP1. Unexpectedly, a small number of functional CD8 single-positive thymocytes expressing the Tg MHC class II-restricted TCR exists in mutant mice. In addition, RasGRP1(-/-) double-positive thymocytes exhibit marked deficits in TCR-stimulated up-regulation of the positive selection marker CD69 and the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, whereas CD5 induction is unaffected. To evaluate the role of RasGRP1 in providing cellular survival signaling, we enforced Bcl-2 expression in RasGRP1(-/-) thymocytes. These studies demonstrate that RasGRP1 function cannot be fully complemented by Tg Bcl-2 expression. Therefore, we propose that RasGRP1 transmits differentiation signaling critically required for CD4 T cell development.

A conformational change senses the strength of T cell receptor-ligand interaction during thymic selection

T cell antigen receptor (TCR) triggering determines the fate of immature thymocytes. The affinity of the TCR for its endogenous peptide/MHC ligands serves as a signal for positive or negative selection through mechanisms that are still little understood. We have used a conformation-specific antibody to demonstrate that recognition of TCR ligands that lead to negative selection induces a conformational change in the TCR in situ. In contrast, this conformational change is elicited in only a small percentage of immature thymocytes during positive selection. Using a TUNEL assay, we demonstrate that the conformational change in the TCR is strongly linked to activation of programmed cell death in conditions leading to negative selection. Furthermore, the few conformational change-positive thymocytes detected in conditions that preferably lead to positive selection are also TUNEL-positive. Thus, the conformational change in the TCR may underlie the discrimination of ligands leading to positive and negative selection.

Cross-positive selection of thymocytes expressing a single TCR by multiple major histocompatibility complex molecules of both classes: implications for CD4+ versus CD8+ lineage commitment

This study has investigated the cross-reactivity upon thymic selection of thymocytes expressing transgenic TCR derived from a murine CD8+ CTL clone. The Idhigh+ cells in this transgenic mouse had been previously shown to mature through positive selection by class I MHC, Dq or Lq molecule. By investigating on various strains, we found that the transgenic TCR cross-reacts with three different MHCs, resulting in positive or negative selection. Interestingly, in the TCR-transgenic mice of H-2q background, mature Idhigh+ T cells appeared among both CD4+ and CD8+ subsets in periphery, even in the absence of RAG-2 gene. When examined on beta2-microglobulin-/- background, CD4+, but not CD8+, Idhigh+ T cells developed, suggesting that maturation of CD8+ and CD4+ Idhigh+ cells was MHC class I (Dq/Lq) and class II (I-Aq) dependent, respectively. These results indicated that this TCR-transgenic mouse of H-2q background contains both classes of selecting MHC ligands for the transgenic TCR simultaneously. Further genetic analyses altering the gene dosage and combinations of selecting MHCs suggested novel asymmetric effects of class I and class II MHC on the positive selection of thymocytes. Implications of these observations in CD4+/CD8+ lineage commitment are discussed.

Overexpression of Cellular Prion Protein Induces an Antioxidant Environment Altering T Cell Development in the Thymus

Cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) is an ubiquitously expressed glycoprotein whose roles are still widely discussed, particularly in the field of immunology. Using TgA20- and Tg33-transgenic mice overexpressing PrP(C), we investigated the consequences of this overexpression on T cell development. In both models, overexpression of PrP(C) induces strong alterations at different steps of T cell maturation. On TgA20 mice, we observed that these alterations are cell autonomous and lead to a decrease of alphabeta T cells and a concomitant increase of gammadelta T cell numbers. PrP(C) has been shown to bind and chelate copper and, interestingly, under a copper supplementation diet, TgA20 mice presented a partial restoration of the alphabeta T cell development, suggesting that PrP(C) overexpression, by chelating copper, generates an antioxidant context differentially impacting on alphabeta and gammadelta T cell lineage.

CD4/CD8 lineage commitment: light at the end of the tunnel?

Two surprisingly clear results have emerged in the past year that suggest that the seemingly intractable problem of CD4/CD8 lineage commitment might eventually be resolved. Manipulating expression of the CD4 and CD8 coreceptors has long been a favorite method to examine the influence of T-cell receptor signalling on lineage commitment. An elegant new twist on this approach now shows that it is all a matter of timing. Thus, termination of CD4 expression after the initiation of positive selection is sufficient to cause complete redirection of class II-restricted thymocytes to the CD8 lineage, which strongly supports quantitative instructive models of lineage commitment. Progress in the field has been significantly hampered by ignorance of the underlying intracellular pathways. Two independent groups, which employed old-fashioned genetics versus new-fangled microarray technology, have now identified the same transcription factor, Th-POK, as a key regulator of alternate lineage commitment. The presence of this factor directs positively selected thymocytes to the CD4 lineage, whereas its absence causes default development to the CD8 lineage.

Commitment issues: linking positive selection signals and lineage diversification in the thymus

The thymus is responsible for the production of CD4+ helper and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, which constitute the cellular arm of the immune system. These cell types derive from common precursors that interact with thymic stroma in a T-cell receptor (TCR)-specific fashion, generating intracellular signals that are translated into function-specific changes in gene expression. This overall process is termed positive selection, but it encompasses a number of temporally distinct and possibly mechanistically distinct cellular changes, including rescue from apoptosis, initiation of cell differentiation, and commitment to the CD4+ or CD8+ T-cell lineage. One of the puzzling features of positive selection is how specificity of the TCR controls lineage commitment, as both helper and cytolytic T cells utilize the same antigen-receptor components, with the exception of the CD4 or CD8 coreceptors themselves. In this review, we focus on the signals required for positive selection, particularly as they relate to lineage commitment. Identification of genes encoding transcriptional regulators that play a role in T-cell development has led to significant recent advances in the field. We also provide an overview of nuclear factors in this context and, where known, how their regulation is linked to the same TCR signals that have been implicated in initiating and regulating positive selection.

Role of the transcription factor Th-POK in CD4:CD8 lineage commitment

The molecular basis of CD4:CD8 lineage commitment, in particular the mechanism by which the precise correlation between lineage choice and T-cell receptor (TCR) specificity toward class I or II major histocompatibility complex is achieved, remains controversial. Both stochastic/selective and instructive models in various forms have been proposed to explain this correlation. The two main experimental approaches previously employed to elucidate this process have focused on the beginning and end of the process, i.e. the influence of TCR signaling and the alternate transcriptional control of the CD4 and CD8 loci during commitment. The recent finding that the transcription factor Th-POK is necessary and sufficient for CD4 commitment has now provided a direct entry point for studying the intracellular pathways that govern lineage commitment. Here, we review data leading to the identification and characterization of this factor and discuss the implications of these studies in the context of current models of lineage commitment.

Development of CD4+ T cells expressing a nominally MHC class I-restricted T cell receptor by two different mechanisms

Differences in T cell receptor (TCR) signaling initiated by interactions among TCRs, coreceptors, and self-peptide-MHC complexes determine the outcome of CD4 versus CD8 lineage of T cell differentiation. The H-2Ld and Kbm3 alloreactive 2C TCR is positively selected by MHC class I Kb and a yet-to-be identified nonclassical class I molecule to differentiate into CD8+ T cells. Here we describe two mechanisms by which CD4+ 2C T cells can be generated in 2C TCR-transgenic mice. In the RAG-/- background, development of CD4+ 2C T cells requires the expression of both I-Ab and the TAP genes, indicating that both MHC class I and II molecules are required for positive selection of these T cells. Notably, only some of the 2C+ RAG-/- mice (approximately 30%) develop CD4+ 2C T cells, with frequencies in individual mice varying from 0.5% to as high as approximately 50%. In the RAG+ background, where endogenous TCRalpha genes are rearranged and expressed, CD4+ 2C T cells are generated because these cells express the 2C TCR as well as additional TCRs, consisting of the 2C TCRbeta and endogenous TCRalpha chains. Similarly, T cells expressing the OT-1 TCR, which is nominally MHC class I-restricted, can also develop into CD4+ T cells through the same two mechanisms. Thus, expression of two TCRs by a single thymocyte, TCR recognition of multiple MHC molecules, and heterogeneity of TCR, coreceptors, and peptide-MHC interactions in the thymus all contribute to the outcome of CD4 versus CD8 lineage development.

Molecular signature of recent thymic selection events on effector and regulatory CD4+ T lymphocytes

Natural CD4+CD25+ regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg) are key protagonists in the induction and maintenance of peripheral T cell tolerance. Their thymic origin and biased repertoire continue to raise important questions about the signals that mediate their development. We validated analysis of MHC class II capture by developing thymocytes from thymic stroma as a tool to study quantitative and qualitative aspects of the cellular interactions involved in thymic T cell development and used it to analyze Treg differentiation in wild-type mice. Our data indicate that APCs of bone marrow origin, but, surprisingly and importantly, not thymic epithelial cells, induce significant negative selection among the very autoreactive Treg precursors. This fundamental difference between thymic development of regulatory and effector T lymphocytes leads to the development of a Treg repertoire enriched in cells specific for a selected subpopulation of self-Ags, i.e., those specifically expressed by thymic epithelial cells.

Analyzing expression of perforin, Runx3, and Thpok genes during positive selection reveals activation of CD8-differentiation programs by MHC II-signaled thymocytes

Intrathymic positive selection matches CD4-CD8 lineage differentiation to MHC specificity. However, it is unclear whether MHC signals induce lineage choice or simply select thymocytes of the appropriate lineage. To investigate this issue, we assessed thymocytes undergoing positive selection for expression of the CD8 lineage markers perforin and Runx3. Using both population-based and single-cell RT-PCR analyses, we found large subsets of MHC class II (MHC-II)-signaled thymocytes expressing these genes within the CD4+ 8+ and CD4+ 8(int), but not the CD4+ 8- populations of signaling competent mice. This indicates that MHC-II signals normally fail to impose CD4 differentiation and further implies that the number of mature CD8 single-positive (SP) thymocytes greatly underestimates CD8 lineage choice. We next examined whether MHC-II-restricted CD4+ 8- thymocytes remain competent to initiate CD8 lineage gene expression. In mice in which expression of the tyrosine kinase Zap70 and thereby TCR signaling were impaired selectively in SP thymocytes, MHC-II-signaled CD4+ 8- thymocytes expressed perforin and Runx3 and failed to up-regulate the CD4 marker Thpok. This indicated that impairing TCR signals at the CD4 SP stage switched gene expression patterns from CD4- to CD8-lineage specific. We conclude from these findings that MHC-II-signaled thymocytes remain competent to initiate CD8-specific gene expression even after CD8 down-regulation and that CD4 lineage differentiation is not fixed before the CD4 SP stage.

The role of erk1 and erk2 in multiple stages of T cell development

Activation of extracellular-signal-regulated protein kinase (Erk) is central to growth-factor-receptor-mediated signaling including that originating from the T cell antigen receptor. It integrates cytoplasmic signals to effect changes in transcription associated with differentiation, proliferation, and survival. In this report, we present an analysis of mice with targeted deletions in Erk1 and Erk2 to assess the relationship between Erk activity and cell-cycle progression, thymocyte development, and lineage commitment. These studies show that Erk is selectively retained during beta selection-driven proliferation, and yet Erk1/2 are not required to complete differentiation to CD4+CD8+ preselection stage of development. Erk activity is essential for the process of positive selection, and it differentially affects CD4 and CD8 T cell maturation; yet, diminished expression itself is not sufficient to alter lineage commitment.

CD4-dependent signaling is required for a late checkpoint during Th2 development associated with resistance to activation-induced cell death

Previous studies have found that class II-restricted T cells from CD4-deficient mice reconstituted with a tail-less CD4 transgene have a specific defect in the development of Th2 effector cells; however, the reason for this defect was not clear. Following stimulation with a high potency peptide and exogenous IL-4, CD4-dependent signaling is required for optimal generation of a Th2 effector population. However, initial IL-4 and GATA-3 transcription is appropriately induced, suggesting that the initial stages of Th2 development are intact and independent of CD4 after priming with a strong agonist peptide. In addition to the defect in Th2 development, CD4 mutant T cells are also relatively resistant to activation-induced cell death (AICD). Furthermore, inhibition of AICD in wild-type T cells causes a defect in Th2 development similar to that seen in the CD4 mutant T cells. These data support the hypothesis that CD4-dependent signaling pathways regulate a distinct checkpoint in the expansion and commitment phase of Th2 development, which is related to dysregulation of AICD.

CD4-CD8 lineage commitment: an inside view

The mechanism of CD4-CD8 lineage commitment, which ensures the correlation between T cell receptor specificity and adoption of the T killer or T helper phenotype, has long been the subject of intense debate. Various approaches are slowly elucidating the underlying molecular pathways. Analysis of the function of T cell receptor signaling (the 'top-down' approach) supports the view that differences in signal strength and/or duration 'instruct' alternative commitment. Analysis of the transcriptional regulation of the genes encoding CD4 and CD8 (the 'bottom-up' approach) has identified critical cis-acting elements and their interacting factors. Finally, identification of the transcription factor Th-POK as a central component of the CD4 lineage-determining pathway has provided a new starting point from which to unravel this intriguing process 'from the inside out'.

Cathepsin-L influences the expression of extracellular matrix in lymphoid organs and plays a role in the regulation of thymic output and of peripheral T cell number

Nackt mice, which are deficient in cathepsin-L (CTSL), show an early impairment during positive selection in the context of class II MHC molecules and as a consequence, the percentage and absolute number of CD4(+) thymocytes are significantly decreased. In this study, we show that lymph nodes from nackt mice are hypertrophied, showing normal absolute numbers of CD4(+) T cells and marked increases in the number of CD8(+) T lymphocytes. Basal proliferative levels are increased in the CD4(+) but not in the CD8(+) population. Lymph node T cells show increases in the expression of alpha(5), alpha(6), and beta(1) integrin chains. These alterations correlate with increases in the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) components in lymph nodes. Interestingly, laminin, fibronectin, and collagen I and IV are markedly decreased in nackt thymus which shows an augmented output of CD8(+) cells. These results demonstrate that a mutation in the Ctsl gene influences the levels of ECM components in lymphoid organs, the thymic output, and the number of T cells in the periphery. They further raise the possibility that, by regulating the level of expression of ECM components in lymphoid organs, CTSL is able to broadly affect the immune system.

Receptor signals and nuclear events in CD4 and CD8 T cell lineage commitment

MHC specificity in positive selection is a major determinant in the CD4/CD8 T cell lineage decision. Previous studies support the view that quantitative differences in T cell receptor (TCR) signaling in immature CD4+CD8+ double positive thymocytes leads to an instructive bias in CD4/CD8 T cell lineage commitment that must be re-inforced in subsequent selection steps to ensure that MHC-restricted antigen recognition is linked to appropriate effector functions in mature T cells. Recent work has further defined the TCR signaling pathways involved in this process, but a major effort has been made to identify transcription factors and other regulators of CD4 and CD8 T cell lineage commitment. Methods and screens for detecting changes in gene expression, associated with TCR signaling in positive selection and lineage determination, are starting to provide a better understanding of these complex developmental processes.

Modulation of Coreceptor Transcription during Positive Selection Dictates Lineage Fate Independently of TCR/Coreceptor Specificity

For developing T cells, coreceptor choice is matched to T cell antigen receptor (TCR) MHC specificity during positive selection in the thymus, but the mechanism remains uncertain. Here, we document that TCR-mediated positive selection signals inactivate the immature CD8(III) enhancer in double positive (DP) thymocytes, explaining in part the cessation of CD8 coreceptor transcription that occurs during positive selection. More importantly, by placing CD4 protein expression under the control of CD8 transcriptional regulatory elements, we demonstrate that cessation of CD4 coreceptor transcription during positive selection results in precisely the same lineage fate as cessation of CD8 coreceptor transcription. That is, MHC-II-signaled DP thymocytes differentiated into CD8-lineage cytotoxic T cells, despite the MHC-II specificity and CD4 dependence of their TCRs. This study demonstrates that termination of coreceptor transcription during positive selection promotes CD8-lineage fate, regardless of TCR specificity or coreceptor protein identity.

Elimination of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells but not B cells eliminates inflammation and prolongs the survival of TGFbeta1-deficient mice

Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) is a potent negative immunoregulatory molecule. We have previously shown that the autoimmune-mediated weaning-age lethality of Tgfb1-/- mice is reversed upon genetic combination with Scid or Rag null alleles. Here, we show that elimination of T but not B cells is sufficient for the reversal, but elimination of either CD4+ or CD8+ cells is not. Although elimination of B cells does not rescue TGFbeta1-deficient animals from autoimmunity, B cells are hyperresponsive to LPS in the absence of TGFbeta1. TGFbeta1 deficiency leads to activation of CD8+ T cells as suggested by down-modulation of CD8 even in the absence of CD4+ T cells. This study provides evidence that both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, but not B cells, have the ability to cause inflammation in the absence of TGFbeta1. However, though TGFbeta1-deficient B cells are hyperresponsive to stimulation, alone they are not sufficient to cause inflammation.

An antagonist peptide mediates positive selection and CD4 lineage commitment of MHC class II-restricted T cells in the absence of CD4

The CD4 coreceptor works together with the T cell receptor (TCR) to deliver signals to the developing thymocyte, yet its specific contribution to positive selection and CD4 lineage commitment remains unclear. To resolve this, we used N3.L2 TCR transgenic, RAG-, and CD4-deficient mice, which are severely impaired in positive selection, and asked whether altered peptide ligands can replace CD4 function in vivo. Remarkably, in the presence of antagonist ligands that normally deleted CD4⁺ T cells in wild-type mice, we induced positive selection of functional CD4 lineage T cells in mice deficient in CD4. We show that the kinetic threshold for positive and negative selection was lowered in the absence of CD4, with no evident skewing toward the CD8 lineage with weaker ligands. These results suggest that CD4 is dispensable as long as the affinity threshold for positive selection is sustained, and strongly argue that CD4 does not deliver a unique instructional signal for lineage commitment.

The zinc finger transcription factor Th-POK regulates CD4 versus CD8 T-cell lineage commitment

Development of immature T-cell precursors (thymocytes) to either the CD4 helper or CD8 killer T-cell lineages correlates precisely with their T-cell receptor specificity for major histocompatibility complex class II or class I molecules, respectively, indicating that the process is carefully regulated. Although intensively studied owing to its importance in determining the composition of the mature T-cell compartment and as a general model of binary lineage decisions, the underlying molecular pathways remain obscure. We have previously reported a spontaneous mouse mutant (HD (helper deficient) mice) in which lineage commitment is specifically perturbed without affecting positive selection. Here we show that a point mutation in the zinc finger transcription factor Th-POK (T-helper-inducing POZ/Krüppel-like factor) is responsible for redirection of class-II-restricted thymocytes to the CD8 lineage in HD mice. Furthermore, we demonstrate that constitutive expression of this factor during thymic development leads to redirection of class-I-restricted thymocytes to the CD4 lineage, indicating that Th-POK is a master regulator of lineage commitment.

Dynamic repositioning of CD4 and CD8 genes during T cell development

Although stable repression of CD4 and CD8 genes is a central feature of T cell lineage commitment, we lack detailed information about the timing and mechanism of this repression. Stable gene repression has been linked to the position of genes within the nucleus. Therefore, information about the nuclear position of CD4 and CD8 genes during T cell development could provide insights into both the mechanism of regulation of CD4 and CD8 genes, and the process of lineage commitment. Here, we report that lineage-specific repression of CD4 and CD8 genes is associated with the repositioning of alleles close to heterochromatin. We also provide evidence that the relocalization of CD4 and CD8 genes to heterochromatin can occur as an early response to positive selection signals. We discuss our results in terms of our current knowledge of CD4 and CD8 gene regulation and CD4 versus CD8 lineage commitment.

Functional characterization of MHC class II-restricted CD8+CD4- and CD8-CD4- T cell responses to infection in CD4-/- mice

Classical CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells recognize Ag presented by MHC class II (MHCII) and MHC class I (MHCI), respectively. However, our results show that CD4(-/-) mice mount a strong, readily detectable CD8(+) T cell response to MHCII-restricted epitopes after a primary bacterial or viral infection. These MHCII-restricted CD8(+)CD4(-) T cells are more similar to classical CD8(+) T cells than to CD4(+) T cells in their expression of effector functions during a primary infection, yet they also differ from MHCI-restricted CD8(+) T cells by their inability to produce high levels of the cytolytic molecule granzyme B. After resolution of a primary infection, epitope-specific MHCII-restricted T cells in CD4(-/-) mice persist for a long period of time as memory T cells. Surprisingly, upon reinfection the secondary MHCII-restricted response in CD4(-/-) mice consists mainly of CD8(-)CD4(-) T cells. In contrast to CD8(+) T cells, MHCII-restricted CD8(-)CD4(-) T cells are capable of producing IL-2 in addition to IFN-gamma and thus appear to have attributes characteristic of CD4(+) T cells rather than CD8(+) T cells. Therefore, MHCII-restricted T cells in CD4(-/-) mice do not share all phenotypic and functional characteristics with MHCI-restricted CD8(+) T cells or with MHCII-restricted CD4(+) T cells, but, rather, adopt attributes from each of these subsets. These results have implications for understanding thymic T cell selection and for elucidating the mechanisms regulating the peripheral immune response and memory differentiation.

The Novel Murine CD4+CD8+ Thymocyte Cell Line Exhibits Lineage Commitment into Both CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells by Altering the Intensity and the Duration of Anti-CD3 Stimulation In Vitro

A CD4(+)CD8(+) double-positive thymocyte cell line, 257-20-109 was established from BALB/c mice thymocytes and used to analyze the requirements to induce CD4 or CD8 single-positive (SP) T cells. CD4SP cells were induced from 257-20-109 cells by anti-CD3 stimulation in the presence of the FcR-positive macrophage cell line, P388D1. During stimulation, maturation events, such as the down-regulation of CD24 and the up-regulation of CD69, H-2D(d), CD5, and Bcl-2, were recognized. Furthermore, these CD4SP cells appeared to be functional because the cells produced IL-2 and IL-4 when activated with phorbol ester and calcium ionophore. In contrast, CD8SP cells could be induced by stimulation with fixed anti-CD3 after removal of stimulation. To investigate the extent of signals required for CD4SP and CD8SP, the cells stimulated under either condition for 2 days were sorted and transferred to different culture conditions. These results suggested that the fate of lineage commitment was determined within 2 days, and that CD4 lineage commitment required longer activation. Furthermore, the experiments with subclones of 257-20-109 demonstrated that the lower density of CD3 did not shift the cells from CD4SP to CD8SP, but only reduced the amount of CD4SP cells. In contrast, when the 257-20-109 cells were stimulated by the combination of fixed anti-CD3 and anti-CD28, the majority of the cells shifted to CD4SP, with an enhancement of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 phosphorylation. Our results indicate that the signals via TCR/CD3 alone shifted the double-positive cells to CD8SP cells, but the reinforced signals via TCR/CD3 and costimulator could commit the cells to CD4SP.

CD4 Raft Association and Signaling Regulate Molecular Clustering at the Immunological Synapse Site

T cell activation is associated with the partitioning of TCRs and other signaling proteins, forming an immunological synapse. This study demonstrates a novel function for the CD4 coreceptor in regulating molecular clustering at the immunological synapse site. We show using transgenic mouse and retroviral reconstitution studies that CD4 is required for TCR/protein kinase C (PKC) theta clustering. Specifically, we demonstrate that CD4 palmitoylation sequences are required for TCR/PKCtheta raft association and subsequent clustering, indicating a particular role for raft-associated CD4 molecules in regulating immune synapse organization. Although raft association of CD4 is necessary, it is not sufficient to mediate clustering, as cytoplasmic tail deletion mutants are able to localize to rafts, but are unable to mediate TCR/PKCtheta clustering, indicating an additional requirement for CD4 signaling. These studies suggest that CD4 coreceptor function is regulated not only through its known signaling function, but also by posttranslational lipid modifications which regulate localization of CD4 in lipid rafts.

TOX provides a link between calcineurin activation and CD8 lineage commitment

T cell development is dependent on the integration of multiple signaling pathways, although few links between signaling cascades and downstream nuclear factors that play a role in thymocyte differentiation have been identified. We show here that expression of the HMG box protein TOX is sufficient to induce changes in coreceptor gene expression associated with β-selection, including CD8 gene demethylation. TOX expression is also sufficient to initiate positive selection to the CD8 lineage in the absence of MHC–TCR interactions. TOX-mediated positive selection is associated with up-regulation of Runx3, implicating CD4 silencing in the process. Interestingly, a strong T cell receptor–mediated signal can modify this cell fate. We further demonstrate that up-regulation of TOX in double positive thymocytes is calcineurin dependent, linking this critical signaling pathway to nuclear changes during positive selection.

Ligand-dependent regulation of T cell development and activation

Mature CD4+ and CD8 + T lymphocytes develop in the thymus from precursors with diverse clonally distributed receptors, possessing binding sites with negligible, intermediate, or high affinity for selfpeptide major histocompatibility complex (MHC) ligands. Positive- and negative-selection processes acting on this precursor pool yield a peripheral T cell population comprised of cells with receptors (TCR) capable of self-peptide MHC ligand recognition, but largely depleted of those able to mediate overt self-responsiveness. The Lymphocyte Biology Section of the Laboratory of Immunology studies how self-ligand recognition guides T cell development in the thymus and influences the functionality of naive and activated T cells in the periphery. It also seeks to define the molecular basis for the discrimination between self-ligands and foreign antigens that controls T cell activation to effector function. Finally, it uses a combination of conventional cellular immunological methods, biochemical and biophysical studies, and advanced imaging techniques to visualize, quantitate, and model the various steps in the development of primary and memory T cell immune responses.

Distinct transcriptional programs in thymocytes responding to T cell receptor, Notch, and positive selection signals

T cell antigen receptor (TCR) signaling is necessary but not sufficient to promote the positive selection of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes into CD4+ or CD8+ mature T cells. Notch signaling has also been implicated as a potential regulator of both CD4/CD8 T cell development and TCR signaling. However, the relationship between positive selection, TCR signaling, and Notch remains unclear. Here we use DNA microarray analysis to compare gene expression changes in CD4+CD8+ double-positive thymocytes undergoing positive selection, TCR stimulation, and Notch activation. We find that the genes induced during positive selection can be resolved into two distinct sets. One set, which we term "TCR-induced," is also induced by in vitro TCR stimulation and contains a large proportion of transcription factors. A second set, which we term "positive-selection-induced," is not induced by in vitro TCR simulation and contains a large proportion of genes involved in signal transduction pathways. Genes induced by Notch activity overlap substantially with genes induced during positive selection. We also find that Notch activity potentiates the effects of TCR stimulation on gene expression. These results help to identify TCR- and positive-selection-specific transcriptional events and help to clarify the relationship between positive selection and Notch.

The CD8 population in CD4-deficient mice is heavily contaminated with MHC class II-restricted T cells

In experiments to study the impact of deficiency in CD4⁺ T cell help on the magnitude of CD8⁺ cytotoxic T cell response to pathogens, it was noted that in CD4 gene knockout mice, the CD8 population made significant responses to several nominally major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II–restricted epitopes in addition to the expected responses to MHC class I–restricted epitopes. A similar response by CD8⁺ T cells to class II–restricted epitopes was not observed in wild-type mice, or in mice that had been acutely depleted of CD4⁺ T cells just before the immunization. Coincident with this unexpected response to class II–restricted epitopes, it was also observed that the CD8⁺ response to the class I–restricted epitopes was consistently lower in CD4^−/− mice than in wild-type mice. Further experiments suggested that these two observations are linked and that the CD8 population in CD4^−/− mice may contain a majority of T cells that were actually selected by recognition of MHC class II molecules in the thymus. These results have implications for understanding CD4 versus CD8 lineage commitment in the thymus, and for the practical use of CD4^−/− mice as models of helper deficiency.

Duration of TCR signaling controls CD4-CD8 lineage differentiation in vivo

The duration of T cell receptor (TCR) signaling is thought to be important for thymocyte differentiation into the CD4 or CD8 lineage. However, the in vivo relevance of this hypothesis is unclear. Here we divided T cell positive selection into genetically separable developmental steps by confining TCR signal transduction to discrete thymocyte developmental windows. TCR signals confined to the double-positive thymocyte stage promoted CD8, but not CD4, lineage differentiation. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-restricted thymocytes were, instead, redirected into the CD8 lineage. These findings support the hypothesis that distinct kinetics of MHC class I- and MHC class II-induced TCR signals direct intrathymic developmental decisions.

Antigen and glucocorticoid hormone (GC) induce positive selection of DP thymocytes in a TcR transgenic mouse model

Thymocyte maturation in the thymus is controlled by stromal and humoral components. Among the humoral regulators locally produced glucocorticoids (GCs) seem to have a key role in the positive selection of thymocytes. Our previous studies have shown that the administration of GCs or the stimulation through the CD3 complex can induce apoptosis of double positive (DP) cells, but the combined presence of these stimuli induces positive selection. In this work our aim was to investigate the effects of antigen exposure and synthetic GC hormone (dexamethasone, DX) administration on the selection processes of DP cells in TcR transgenic mice. In our model, AND-pigeon cytochrome c (PCC)-specific I-E(k) (MHC-II) restricted Vbeta3, Valpha11 TcR expressing transgenic mice were treated with PCC, with high or low dose DX, or with PCC and DX together, followed by the analysis of total thymocyte numbers, thymocyte composition, with regard to their CD69, Vbeta3 and Annexin V expression. The administration of PCC and/or DX for 2 days resulted in a decreased DP cell number and a significantly increased CD4 SP cell ratio. However, in both cases the total thymocyte numbers decreased. CD69 expression increased on both DP and CD4 SP cells after PCC and/or DX treatments. We found that after DX or combined treatment, the percentage of Annexin V positive cells increased. The ratio of Vbeta3 TcR bearing DP thymocytes showed no change after DX or PCC administrations alone, but it decreased significantly after combined treatment. MHC-II bound PCC peptides in the presence of GCs enhanced the maturation of Vbeta3+ DP cells into CD4 SP stage, therefore, the Vbeta3- cells remained mostly in the DP immature stage. These data indicate that both antigen and low dose GC alone are capable of inducing positive selection of DP cells, but together they gave a stronger effect in promoting positive selection. From these we conclude that GCs influence the maturation and selection processes of thymocytes.

Loss of Ly-6A.2 expression on immature developing T cells in the thymus is necessary for their normal growth and generation of the Vbeta T-cell repertoire

Stage-specific expression of a number of cell-surface and signaling proteins is critical for normal development of T cells in the thymus. Equally important may be the loss of expression/signaling of developmentally regulated proteins for proper transitioning of developing T cells into thymic subsets. Ly-6A.2 exhibits a regulated pattern of expression on T cells maturing in the thymus, and dysregulating its expression results in arrest of developing T cells within the CD3-CD4-CD8- triple negative (TN) stage where the normal expression of Ly-6A.2 is extinguished. To further characterize the mechanisms underlying this block, we examined whether cell signaling and/or cell adhesion properties of the Ly-6A.2 molecule influenced the block in T-cell development. Analysis of bone marrow chimeras generated by injecting CFSE-labeled Ly-6A.2 transgenic bone marrow cells into irradiated syngeneic non-transgenic mice revealed normal trafficking of developing T cells from the cortex into the medulla. Production of LAT but not p56lck was diminished in CD4-CD8- DN cells from Ly-6A.2 dysregulated mice when compared with control littermates. Dysregulated expression of Ly-6A.2 did not suppress endogenous TCR-Vbeta expression. Finally, dysregulated expression of Ly-6A.2 enhanced apoptosis of an immature CD4+CD8+ (DP) subset of developing cells and altered the selected TCR-Vbeta repertoire. Taken together, these observations indicate that the termination of Ly-6A.2 expression and signaling within the CD4-CD8-CD3- subset of developing T cells is an important checkpoint during normal thymic development.

The influence of the thymic environment on the CD4-versus-CD8 T lineage decision

T cell receptor signaling is an essential factor regulating thymocyte selection, but the function of the thymic environment in this process is not clear. In mice transgenic for major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted T cell receptors, every thymocyte is potentially selectable for maturation in the CD4 lineage. To address whether selection frequency affects positive selection, we created hematopoietic chimeras with mixtures of selectable and nonselectable precursors. With increased proportions of nonselectable thymocytes, positive selection of MHC class II-specific precursors was enhanced, generating not only CD4 but also CD8 thymocytes. These results indicate that the CD4 versus CD8 fate of selectable precursors can be influenced by the selection potential of its neighbors.

Mutation in fas ligand impairs maturation of thymocytes bearing moderate affinity T cell receptors

Fas ligand, best known as a death-inducer, is also a costimulatory molecule required for maximal proliferation of mature antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. We now extend the role of Fas ligand by showing that it can also influence thymocyte development. T cell maturation in some, but not all, strains of TCR transgenic mice is severely impaired in thymocytes expressing mutant Fas ligand incapable of interacting with Fas. Mutant Fas ligand inhibits neither negative selection nor death by neglect. Instead, it appears to modulate positive selection of thymocytes expressing both class I- and class II-restricted T cell receptors of moderate affinity for their positively selecting ligands. Fas ligand is therefore an inducer of death, a costimulator of peripheral T cell activation, and an accessory molecule in positive selection.

Unraveling a revealing paradox: Why major histocompatibility complex I-signaled thymocytes "paradoxically" appear as CD4+8lo transitional cells during positive selection of CD8+ T cells

The mechanism by which T cell receptor specificity determines the outcome of the CD4/CD8 lineage decision in the thymus is not known. An important clue is the fact that major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I-signaled thymocytes paradoxically appear as CD4+8lo transitional cells during their differentiation into CD8+ T cells. Lineage commitment is generally thought to occur at the CD4+8+ (double positive) stage of differentiation and to result in silencing of the opposite coreceptor gene. From this perspective, the appearance of MHC-I-signaled thymocytes as CD4+8lo cells would be due to effects on CD8 surface protein expression, not CD8 gene expression. But contrary to this perspective, this study demonstrates that MHC-I-signaled thymocytes appear as CD4+8lo cells because of transient down-regulation of CD8 gene expression, not because of changes in CD8 surface protein expression or distribution. This study also demonstrates that initial cessation of CD8 gene expression in MHC-I-signaled thymocytes is not necessarily indicative of commitment to the CD4+ T cell lineage, as such thymocytes retain the potential to differentiate into CD8+ T cells. These results challenge classical concepts of lineage commitment but fulfill predictions of the kinetic signaling model.

Self-recognition and the regulation of CD4+ T cell survival

CD4+ T cells differentiate in the thymus from committed precursors to mature naive cells ready for peripheral circulation. Successful maturation depends on adequate but not excessive signaling upon T cell receptor (TCR) engagement of self-peptide/MHC class II molecule ligands present in the thymic environment. Persistent TCR signaling throughout development from the CD4+CD8+ to the CD4+ state is required for completion of the developmental process. Recent work has suggested that a continuation of this signaling is essential for sustained survival of CD4+ T cells once they leave the thymus but our studies suggest otherwise. Although we found clear evidence for active TCR signaling involving recognition of self-ligands in peripheral lymphoid tissues, we did not see a substantial effect of loss of such signaling on the life-time of naive CD4+ T cells. Based on a careful review of the literature, we conclude that essentially all previous claims that MHC class II recognition plays a significant role in the survival of CD4+ T cells can be reinterpreted as an effect of self-recognition on proliferation in lymphopenic environments, maintaining population numbers without a marked effect on individual cell viability. We propose a possible explanation for why, in contrast, the viability of naive CD8+ T cells appears to show such self-MHC dependence and suggest that a primary function of self-recognition by T cells may be to enhance responses to foreign antigen.

The transcriptional repressor Gfi1 affects development of early, uncommitted c-Kit+ T cell progenitors and CD4/CD8 lineage decision in the thymus

In the thymus, several steps of proliferative expansion and selection coordinate the maturation of precursors into antigen-specific T cells. Here we identify the transcriptional repressor Gfi1 as an important regulator of this maturation process. Mice lacking Gfi1 show reduced thymic cellularity due to an increased cell death rate, lack of proliferation, and a differentiation block in the very early uncommitted CD4-/CD8-/c-Kit+ cytokine-dependent T cell progenitors that have not yet initiated VDJ recombination. In addition, Gfi1-deficient mice show increased major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted positive selection and develop significantly more CD8+ cells suggesting a requirement of Gfi1 for a correct CD4/CD8 lineage decision. Absence of Gfi1 correlates with high level expression of the genes for lung Krüppel-like factor (LKLF), inhibitor of DNA binding (Id)1 and Id2, suggesting the existence of new regulatory pathways in pre-T cell development and thymic selection in which Gfi1 acts upstream of LKLF as well as the E-proteins, which are negatively regulated by Id1 and Id2.

Growth factor independence-1B expression leads to defects in T cell activation, IL-7 receptor alpha expression, and T cell lineage commitment

T cell differentiation in the thymus is dependent upon signaling through the TCR and is characterized by the resulting changes in expression patterns of CD4 and CD8 surface coreceptor molecules. Although recent studies have characterized the effects of proximal TCR signaling on T cell differentiation, the downstream integration of these signals remains largely unknown. The growth factor independence-1 (GFI1) and GFI1B transcriptional repressors may regulate cytokine signaling pathways to affect lymphocyte growth and survival. In this study, we show that Gfi1 expression is induced upon induction of the T cell program. Gfi1B expression is low and dynamic during T cell development, but is terminated in mature thymocytes. Transgenic expression of GFI1 and GFI1B in T cells allowed us to determine the functional consequences of constitutive expression. GFI1 potentiates response to TCR stimulation and IL-2, whereas GFI1B-transgenic T cells are defective in T cell activation. Moreover, GFI1B-transgenic thymocytes display reduced expression of the late-activation marker IL-7R alpha, and a decrease in CD4(-)8(+) single-positive T cells that can be mitigated by transgenic expression of BCL2 or GFI1. These data show that GFI1 and GFI1B are functionally unique, and implicate a role for GFI1 in the integration of activation and survival signals.

Effective vaccination against long-term gammaherpesvirus latency

The fundamental question of whether a primed immune system is capable of preventing latent gammaherpesvirus infection remains unanswered. Recent studies showing that vaccination can reduce acute replication and short-term latency but cannot alter long-term latency further call into question the possibility of achieving sterilizing immunity against gammaherpesviruses. Using the murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (gammaHV68) system, we demonstrate that it is possible to effectively vaccinate against long-term latency. By immunizing mice with a gammaHV68 mutant virus that is deficient in its ability to reactivate from latency, we reduced latent infection of wild-type challenge virus to a level below the limit of detection. Establishment of latency was inhibited by vaccination regardless of whether mice were challenged intraperitoneally or intranasally. Passive transfer of antibody from vaccinated mice could partially reconstitute the effect, demonstrating that antibody is an important component of vaccination. These results demonstrate the potential of a memory immune response against gammaherpesviruses to alter long-term latency and suggest that limiting long-term latent infection in a clinically relevant situation is an attainable goal.

Down-regulation of the myeloid homeobox protein Hex is essential for normal T-cell development

The haematopoietic homeobox gene Hex (also called Prh) is expressed in myeloid cells and B cells but not T cells. To investigate whether Hex levels might play a role in myeloid versus T-cell development, two types of transgenic mouse lines were constructed, each with ectopic expression of Hex in T cells (CD11a/Hex and Lck/Hex). Both these types of transgenic mouse had the same defects in T-cell maturation, indicating that proper T-cell development may be dependent not just on the up-regulation of lymphoid-specific transcriptional regulators but also on the co-ordinated down-regulation of myeloid-specific transcriptional regulators such as Hex. In addition, Hex over-expression significantly increased myeloid progenitor cycling, which may explain its role in retrovirally induced murine leukaemia.

Human CD4 expression at the late single-positive stage of thymic development supports T cell maturation and peripheral export in CD4-deficient mice

Positive selection of developing thymocytes is initiated at the double-positive (DP) CD4(+)CD8(+) stage of their maturation. Accordingly, expression of a human CD4 (hCD4) transgene beginning at the DP stage has been shown to restore normal T cell development and function in CD4-deficient mice. However, it is unclear whether later onset CD4 expression would still allow such a restoration. To investigate this issue, we used transgenic mice in which a hCD4 transgene is not expressed on DP, but only on single-positive cells. By crossing these animals with CD4-deficient mice, we show that late hCD4 expression supports the maturation of T cell precursors and the peripheral export of mature TCRalphabeta(+) CD8(-) T cells. These results were confirmed in two different MHC class II-restricted TCR transgenic mice. T cells arising by this process were functional in the periphery because they responded to agonist peptide in vivo. Interestingly, thymocytes of these mice appeared refractory to peptide-induced negative selection. Together, these results indicate that the effect of CD4 on positive selection of class II-restricted T cells extends surprisingly late into the maturation process by a previously unrecognized pathway of differentiation, which might contribute to the generation of autoreactive T cells.

Valpha24-JalphaQ-independent, CD1d-restricted recognition of alpha-galactosylceramide by human CD4(+) and CD8alphabeta(+) T lymphocytes

Human CD1d molecules present an unknown ligand, mimicked by the synthetic glycosphingolipid alpha-galactosylceramide (alphaGC), to a highly conserved NKT cell subset expressing an invariant TCR Valpha24-JalphaQ paired with Vbeta11 chain (Valpha24(+)Vbeta11(+) invariant NK T cell (NKT(inv))). The developmental pathway of Valpha24(+)Vbeta11(+)NKT(inv) is still unclear, but recent studies in mice were consistent with a TCR instructive, rather than a stochastic, model of differentiation. Using CD1d-alphaGC-tetramers, we demonstrate that in humans, TCR variable domains other than Valpha24 and Vbeta11 can mediate specific recognition of CD1d-alphaGC. In contrast to Valpha24(+)Vbeta11(+)NKT(inv) cells, Valpha24(-)/CD1d-alphaGC-specific T cells express either CD8alphabeta or CD4 molecules, but they are never CD4 CD8 double negative. We show that CD8alphabeta(+)Valpha24(-)/CD1d-alphaGC-specific T cells exhibit CD8-dependent specific cytotoxicity and have lower affinity TCRs than Valpha24(+)/CD1d-alphaGC-specific T cells. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that, contrary to the currently held view, recognition of CD1d-alphaGC complex in humans is not uniformly restricted to the Valpha24-JalphaQ/Vbeta11 NKT cell subset, but can be mediated by a diverse range of Valpha and Vbeta domains. The existence of a diverse repertoire of CD1d-alphaGC-specific T cells in humans strongly supports their Ag-driven selection.

T-cell development and the CD4-CD8 lineage decision

Cell-fate decisions are controlled typically by conserved receptors that interact with co-evolved ligands. Therefore, the lineage-specific differentiation of immature CD4+ CD8+ T cells into CD4+ or CD8+ mature T cells is unusual in that it is regulated by clonally expressed, somatically generated T-cell receptors (TCRs) of unpredictable fine specificity. Yet, each mature T cell generally retains expression of the co-receptor molecule (CD4 or CD8) that has an MHC-binding property that matches that of its TCR. Two models were proposed initially to explain this remarkable outcome--'instruction' of lineage choice by initial signalling events or 'selection' after a stochastic fate decision that limits further development to cells with coordinated TCR and co-receptor specificities. Aspects of both models now appear to be correct; mistake-prone instruction of lineage choice precedes a subsequent selection step that filters out most incorrect decisions.

New perspectives on a developmental dilemma: the kinetic signaling model and the importance of signal duration for the CD4/CD8 lineage decision

Double-positive thymocytes are short-lived bipotential cells whose developmental fate is determined by the specificity of their TCRs. A relatively small number of double-positive thymocytes undergo positive selection in the thymus and these are signaled to differentiate either into CD4(+) or CD8(+) mature T cells. The mechanism by which double-positive thymocytes determine their appropriate CD4/CD8 fate has been the subject of intense theoretical debate and rigorous experimental analysis. In the last year, 'signal duration' has been offered as a replacement for 'signal strength' as a major determinant of the CD4/CD8 decision, a deceptively minor refinement that requires a major change in our understanding of how signaled double-positive thymocytes differentiate into mature T cells. Indeed, the kinetic signaling model provides a radically new perspective on the mechanism by which the CD4/CD8 lineage decision is made.

CD83 expression influences CD4+ T cell development in the thymus

T lymphocyte selection and lineage commitment in the thymus requires multiple signals. Herein, CD4+ T cell generation required engagement of CD83, a surface molecule expressed by thymic epithelial and dendritic cells. CD83-deficient (CD83-/-) mice had a specific block in CD4+ single-positive thymocyte development without increased CD4+CD8+ double- or CD8+ single-positive thymocytes. This resulted in a selective 75%-90% reduction in peripheral CD4+ T cells, predominantly within the naive subset. Wild-type thymocytes and bone marrow stem cells failed to differentiate into mature CD4+ T cells when transferred into CD83-/- mice, while CD83-/- thymocytes and stem cells developed normally in wild-type mice. Thereby, CD83 expression represents an additional regulatory component for CD4+ T cell development in the thymus.

Precursors of functional MHC class I- or class II-restricted CD8alphaalpha(+) T cells are positively selected in the thymus by agonist self-peptides

The origin and specificity of alphabeta TCR(+) T cells that express CD8alphaalpha have been controversial issues. Here we provide direct evidence that precursors of functional CD8alphaalpha T cells are positively selected in the thymus in the presence of agonist self-peptides. Like conventional positive selection, this agonist selection process requires functional TCR alpha-CPM, whereas it is independent of CD8beta expression. Furthermore, CD8alphaalpha expression on mature, agonist-selected T cells does not imply selection by MHC class I, and CD8alphaalpha(+) T cells can be either class I or class II restricted. Our data define a distinct agonist-dependent, positive selection process in the thymus, and they suggest a function for CD8alphaalpha distinct from the conventional TCR coreceptor function of CD8alphabeta or CD4.