The major histocompatibility complex-restricted antigen receptor on T cells: distribution on thymus and peripheral T cells

Intrathymic presentation of circulating non-MHC antigens by medullary dendritic cells. An antigen-dependent microenvironment for T cell differentiation

We present evidence for intrathymic presentation of soluble circulating antigens in vivo. Our results show that proteins of different molecular weight enter the mouse thymus rapidly after i.v. injection. The intrathymic presence of antigen was assayed by proliferation of cloned antigen-specific T helper cells, which were cocultured with purified thymic stromal cells; stromal cells were isolated and purified as lymphostromal cell complexes, which preexist in vivo. Antigen presentation copurified with non-adherent medullary dendritic cells (DC) (interdigitating cells). I-A- cortical macrophages forming thymocyte rosettes in vivo and I-A+ cortical epithelial cells forming thymic nurse cells (TNC) in vivo did not act as antigen presenting cells (APC) after antigen pulsing in vivo or in vitro. Thymic APC turn over physiologically and are rapidly replaced (within 2-5 wk) after lethal irradiation by donor bone marrow-derived cells. The frequency of thymocyte-DC interactions in vivo strictly correlates with thymic T cell differentiation, and is independent of the immune status of the animal. Fetal thymic APC seem to be secluded from antigen in the maternal circulation. Thymic DC-ROS probably represent the microenvironment where maturing T cells first encounter non-MHC antigens in the context of self-MHC antigens.

Requirements for growth of immature thymocytes from fetal and adult mice in vitro

We report here defined culture conditions that allow reproducibly the growth of the majority of immature thymocytes from both fetal (14-15 days of gestation) and adult mice. The combination of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), ionomycin and recombinant interleukin 2 (IL2) is both sufficient and necessary to induce growth of about 1/6.2 (range 1/3-1/9) and 1/4.3 (range 1/2-1/7) immature thymocytes from adult and fetal mice, respectively, in serum-free cultures. Several other combinations tested (e.g. PMA + IL2, concanavalin A + IL2) were poorly or not active. None of the agents tested alone (PMA, ionomycin, concanavalin A, pokeweed mitogen, IL2) had any effect. We found no evidence for a role of IL1 and IL3 on growth of these cells. The growth of activated immature thymocytes from either fetal or adult mice was inhibited by a monoclonal antibody against mouse IL2 receptors. Under the same conditions that stimulated growth of most immature thymocytes, they did not mature into cells expressing Lyt-2, L3T4 or T cell antigen receptor (KJ16) after 7 to 15 days of continuous proliferation in culture. Nor did they give rise to cells with cytolytic activity after 7-9 days of culture. In some but not all experiments cultures of immature thymocytes from adult mice but not from fetal mice generated cells (1 out of 120-310) with helper function for B lymphocytes. While we confirmed here that approximately 50-70% freshly isolated immature thymocytes express receptors for IL2, our results indicate that these cells need to be activated (by e.g. PMA + ionomycin) to respond to IL2. A possible mechanism to account for the expression of nonfunctionally competent IL2 receptors is proposed and our results concerning the maturation of immature thymocytes in vitro are discussed.

Expression of antigen-specific, major histocompatibility complex-restricted receptors by cortical and medullary thymocytes in situ

We have examined the distribution of the antigen-specific, major histocompatibility complex-restricted receptor on mouse thymocytes in situ, using immunohistochemical techniques and the monoclonal antibody KJ16-133. This antibody reacts with the beta chain of the receptors on about 20% of peripheral murine T cells. Of the cortical thymocytes reacting with KJ16-133, cells with only cytoplasmic staining were most frequently observed. Such cytoplasmic staining was not observed in the medulla. Occasional cortical cells had low levels of surface expression, which was almost invariably patched in the region of contact with epithelial cell processes. KJ16-133+ medullary thymocytes had high levels of uniform surface labeling. These results suggest that thymic selection of MHC restriction and/or tolerance may occur in the cortex, where the receptors on maturing thymocytes interact with MHC proteins on epithelial cells.

Selective activation of Lyt 2+ precursor T cells by ligation of the antigen receptor

Resting T lymphocytes may be activated either physiologically, by the specific recognition of antigen in association with molecules encoded by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), or non-physiologically using mitogens such as concanavalin A (Con A). The former activation process is difficult to analyse because resting precursor T cells specific for a particular antigen-MHC combination can only be isolated in the presence of a large excess of bystander cells of irrelevant specificity; clonal populations of uniform specificity are not useful for studying the activation of naive T cells because there is no reason to believe that such cloned cells ever return to the state of resting precursors. Mitogens may activate a large fraction of resting T cells, but analysis is again complicated because the target molecule(s) of most mitogens is unknown and the relationship of this kind of activation to physiological induction by antigen plus MHC molecules remains unclear. By using a monoclonal antibody specific for the antigen receptors on approximately 25% of all T cells of both Lyt 2+ and Lyt 2- subsets, we have studied the induction of lymphokine responsiveness in resting normal T cells. This antibody, immobilized on Sepharose beads, is sufficient to activate Lyt 2+ T cells, but not Lyt 2- T cells, to clonal expansion in the presence of a mixture of lymphokines (10% rat spleen Con A supernatant). We report here that clonal growth of the T cells obeys single-hit kinetics in limiting-dilution microcultures, suggesting that a single cell type is limiting. We conclude that cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (Tc) precursors require only ligation of the antigen receptor before they become responsive to lymphokines, whereas helper T-lymphocyte (Th) precursors require additional signals.

Early T lymphocytes. Differentiation in vivo of adult intrathymic precursor cells

A minor subpopulation of adult murine thymocytes (less than 5%) that is Lyt-2-, L3T4-, and expresses low levels of Ly-1 (designated dLy-1 [dull] thymocytes) has been identified, isolated, and characterized. This study assesses the differentiation potential of dLy-1 thymocytes in the thymus in vivo. Using multiparameter flow cytometry, radiation chimeras of C57BL/6 mice congenic at the Ly-1 or Ly-5 locus, and allelic markers to discriminate host and donor, we showed that transferred dLy-1 cells were able to generate thymocytes expressing both cortical and medullary phenotypes in a sequential manner. The proportion of donor-derived thymocytes obtained was directly related to the number of dLy-1 thymocytes transferred. Transfer of purified Lyt-2+ or Lyt-2+ + L3T4+ thymocytes, which constitute greater than 94% of total thymocytes, failed to generate any donor-derived thymocytes in irradiated recipients. Transfer of bone marrow (BM) cells produced the same sequential pattern of differentiation as that produced by dLy-1 cells, but was delayed by 4-5 d. Transferred dLy-1 thymocytes exhibited a limited capacity for self-renewal, and resulted in a single wave of differentiation in irradiated hosts. Thus, thymic repopulation by donor-derived cells after transfer of dLy-1 thymocytes was transient, while repopulation by BM was permanent. These findings suggest that the isolated dLy-1 thymocytes described herein are precursor thymocytes that represent a very early stage in intrathymic development.

The T cell antigen receptor

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T-cell receptor beta-chain expression: dependence on relatively few variable region genes

Fifteen independently isolated complementary DNA clones that contain T-cell receptor (TCR) V beta genes were sequenced and found to represent 11 different V beta genes. When compared with known sequences, 14 different V beta genes could be defined from a total of 25 complementary DNA's; 11 clones therefore involved repeated usage of previously identified V beta's. Based on these data, we calculate a maximum likelihood estimate of the number of expressed germline V beta genes to be 18 with an upper 95 percent confidence bound of 30 genes. Southern blot analysis has shown that most of these genes belong to single element subfamilies which show very limited interstrain polymorphism. The TCR beta-chain diversity appears to be generated from a limited V beta gene pool primarily by extensive variability at the variable-diversity-joining (V-D-J) junctional site, with no evidence for the involvement of somatic hypermutation.

Expression of genes of the T-cell antigen receptor complex in precursor thymocytes

The antigen receptor on T lymphocytes has recently been characterized as a heterodimeric, transmembrane glycoprotein consisting of disulphide-linked alpha (acidic) and beta (basic) subunits of relative molecular mass (Mr) 40,000-45,000 each. The genes encoding these proteins have been cloned and shown to resemble immunoglobulin genes in both overall structure and the requirement for DNA rearrangement before expression. In humans, three additional proteins, termed the T3 complex, are found associated with the clonotypic receptor, and a role for T3 in receptor expression has been proposed. Despite these recent advances in characterizing the antigen receptor complex, there is as yet little understanding of T-cell maturation, particularly the stage of T-cell ontogeny at which the genes encoding the antigen receptor and its associated structures are expressed and assembled. In the adult, stem cells destined to differentiate into T cells arise in the bone marrow and migrate to the thymus, where T-cell precursors proliferate, develop a preference for recognizing antigens in the context of self MHC molecules and are released to the periphery. Recently, cells that have the properties of immature murine thymocytes have been isolated and described. We have now analysed these cells with a series of molecular probes and we describe three distinct patterns of T-cell antigen receptor gene rearrangements in developing thymocytes.

Segregation of polymorphic T-cell receptor genes in human families

Polymorphism in the genes encoding the constant (C) region of the beta chain of the T-cell antigen receptor (CT beta, also called C beta) has been detected by molecular genotyping analyses. In initial screenings, a panel of restriction endonucleases was used to digest DNA samples from two individuals; the digested samples were subjected to Southern blot analyses using a CT beta probe. The enzyme Bgl II revealed restriction-fragment-length polymorphism in these samples and was subsequently used to test 59 individual members of eight different families. Polymorphic fragments detected in six of the families could be used to follow the segregation of T-cell receptor genes; in many cases maternal and/or paternal haplotypes could be assigned. All members of two additional families displayed a single CT beta hybridizing fragment. In one family the DNA sample from one of the children lacked an expected Bgl II restriction fragment. On the basis of analyses with other restriction enzymes, the most likely explanation is that the lymphoblastoid B-cell line used as a source of genomic DNA for this individual had rearranged or altered CT beta genes. Restriction-fragment-length polymorphisms used to discriminate CT beta haplotypes in families provide useful markers that will facilitate linkage studies and genetic analyses of T-cell function.

Intrathymic differentiation: thymocyte heterogeneity and the characterization of early T-cell precursors

Multiparameter FCA of unfractionated or isolated subpopulations of thymocytes reveals at least seven subpopulations in the mouse thymus. One of these subpopulations, designated dLy1 has been isolated and characterized extensively. The data reviewed here indicate that the dLy1 thymocyte subpopulation, whether derived from the adult or fetal thymus, represents an early stage in intrathymic differentiation. The immature status of dLy1 cells was suggested by the extensive similarity to a predominant cell type that occurs early in fetal thymic ontogeny. Its precursor role was demonstrated by its capacity to generate cortical and medullary-type thymocytes in vivo. Its expression of Ly1, Thy-1 and mRNA specific for the beta-chain of the T-cell antigen receptor support its commitment to a T-cell developmental pathway. In summary, dLy1 thymocytes appear to be the earliest committed T cells yet to be described, isolated and characterized. Further investigation should reveal whether this subpopulation of thymocytes contains subsets of cells in earlier states of maturation and/or precursors already committed to more than one T-cell lineage.

Rearrangement of T-cell receptor beta-chain genes during T-cell development

The kinetics and order of rearrangements in the gene complex encoding T-cell-receptor beta chains were studied by Southern blot hybridization in a collection of hybridomas derived from fetal thymocytes at various stages of ontogeny (day 14 to day 17). Our results show a steady increase in the frequency of rearranged beta complexes during this period and suggest that these rearrangements occur within the thymus. beta-chain diversity region (D beta) to beta-chain joining region (J beta) joining preceded other types of rearrangements. More complex hybridization patterns consistent with fully rearranged functional beta-chain genes did not begin to accumulate until day 16, 1 day prior to significant surface expression of the receptor protein.

Genetic markers of the antigen-specific T cell receptor locus

The restriction enzyme Eco RI reveals DNA cleavage sites that serve to distinguish the gene locus believed to encode the beta subunit of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted, antigen-specific receptor of the T cell in BALB/c mice from that of SJL/J mice. A monoclonal antibody, KJ16-133, also distinguishes BALB/c and SJL/J, because it recognizes an allotypic marker present on a cell-surface heterodimer believed to function as the MHC-restricted, antigen-specific T cell receptor. This study has shown that these two markers cosegregate in a set of BALB/c X SJL/J recombinant inbred (RI) mouse strains, permitting the conclusion that they are linked to within 3 centimorgans of each other, and to the kappa locus on chromosome 6. The tight linkage between these independently derived, totally different T cell markers substantially strengthens the argument that they characterize the MHC-restricted antigen-specific receptor of the effector T cell.

Hybrid antibodies can target sites for attack by T cells

It would be advantageous in the case of certain diseases to be able to focus a strong T-cell response at a chosen target, for example, in treating cancer or infections that have escaped the normal host response. At present, it seems inconceivable that we could use antigen-specific lines or clones of effector T cells for this purpose because of complications due to the major histocompatibility restriction of T-cell specificity and the problem of rejection of transplanted effector cells. Here we describe a novel technology which combines the power of T lymphocytes in eliminating unwanted cells and causing beneficial inflammatory reactions with the great advantages of monoclonal antibodies (their specificity and availability). We show that heteroconjugates of monoclonal antibodies (referred to hereafter as hybrid antibodies), in which one of the component binding sites is anti-T-cell receptor and the other component binding site is directed against any chosen target antigen, can focus T cells to act at the targeted site. Monoclonal antibodies directed against the T-cell receptor, such as the anti-allotype used here, are mitogenic for resting T cells and can be used to induce effector T cells carrying the T-cell receptor determinant which can then be directed against the target by a hybrid antibody.

Developmental regulation of T-cell receptor gene expression

In contrast to B cells or their antibody products, T lymphocytes have a dual specificity, for both the eliciting foreign antigen and for polymorphic determinants on cell surface glycoproteins encoded in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC restriction). The recent identification of T-cell receptor glycoproteins as well as the genes encoding T-cell receptor subunits will help to elucidate whether MHC proteins and foreign antigens are recognized by two T-cell receptors or by a single receptor. An important feature of MHC restriction is that it appears to be largely acquired by a differentiating T-cell population under the influence of MHC antigens expressed in the thymus, suggesting that precursor T cells are selected on the basis of their reactivity with MHC determinants expressed in the host thymus. To understand this process of 'thymus education', knowledge of the developmental regulation of T-cell receptor gene expression is necessary. Here we report that whereas messenger RNAs encoding the beta-and gamma-subunits are relatively abundant in immature thymocytes, alpha mRNA levels are very low. Interestingly, whereas alpha mRNA levels increase during further development and beta mRNA levels stay roughly constant, gamma mRNA falls to very low levels in mature T cells, suggesting a role for the gamma gene in T-cell differentiation.

Ontogeny of the T-cell antigen receptor within the thymus

The expression of T-cell antigen receptors during T-cell ontogeny is an important issue that bears directly on such questions as where T-cell tolerance is acquired, at what stage T cells become susceptible to repertoire selection, and why most thymocytes die within the thymus. The thymus rudiment is colonized during days 11 and 12 of gestation, but it is not until day 19 that significant numbers of functional thymocytes are present. Although much is known about the ontogeny of function- and specificity-associated surface molecules such as Ly2 and MT4 (the murine equivalent of human T4) during this period, the ontogeny of the T-cell antigen receptors remains obscure. We have now addressed this question on three levels: DNA rearrangement, messenger RNA transcription and expression of cell-surface receptor-like proteins. Our results suggest that T-cell receptors are first expressed within the thymus around day 17 of gestation, independently of and probably before the expression of Ly2 and MT4. Furthermore, these data suggest that all major adult thymocyte subpopulations, including the small cortical cells, most of which die within the thymus, express receptors.