T cell unresponsiveness correlates with quantitative TCR levels in a transgenic model

Int Immunol. 1993 Dec;5(12):1495-500. doi: 10.1093/intimm/5.12.1495.

Abstract

Two lines of transgenic mice were developed which differ in their level of expression of V beta 11. To determine the role of TCR density in tolerance induction, these mice were bred with I-E expressing mice and were investigated for tolerance induction. T cells expressing V beta 11 at high density are deleted by negative selection. T cells expressing < 10% of the normal TCR receptor density are not subject to negative selection and were not activated in vitro. There is a correlation in receptor density in both strains of mice with in vitro activation. These findings support the notion that there is a definable quantitative signal threshold which is critical for tolerance induction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / biosynthesis
  • CD2 Antigens
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Lymph Nodes / cytology
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic / immunology*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / genetics
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / metabolism
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / physiology*
  • Receptors, Immunologic / biosynthesis
  • Self Tolerance / genetics
  • Self Tolerance / immunology*
  • Spleen / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte
  • CD2 Antigens
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
  • Receptors, Immunologic