Abstract

The first checkpoint in T cell development, beta selection, has remained incompletely characterized for lack of specific surface markers. We show that CD27 is upregulated in DN3 thymocytes initiating beta selection, concomitant with intracellular TCR-beta expression. Clonal analysis determined that CD27high DN3 cells generate CD4+CD8+ progeny with more than 90% efficiency, faster and more efficiently than the CD27low majority. CD27 upregulation also occurs in gammadelta-selected DN3 thymocytes in TCR-beta-/- mice and in IL2-GFP transgenic reporter mice where GFP marks the earliest emerging TCR-gammadelta cells from DN3 thymocytes. With CD27 to distinguish pre- and postselection DN3 cells, a detailed gene expression analysis defined regulatory changes associated with checkpoint arrest, with beta selection, and with gammadelta selection. gammadelta selection induces higher CD5, Egr, and Runx3 expression as compared to beta selection, but it triggers less proliferation. Our results also reveal differences in Notch/Delta dependence at the earliest stages of divergence between developing alphabeta and gammadelta T-lineage cells.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.