Abstract
The cellular basis of graft rejection and the development of strategies for specific suppression of T cell responses against allogeneic and xenogeneic transplants represents an area of active investigation. Recently, a population of MHC-class I restricted CD8 +CD28 − T suppressor cells (Ts) which are able to inhibit specifically the proliferative response of allospecific, xenospecific and nominal-antigen specific CD4 + T helper cells (Th) has been identified. We have studied the TCR Vβ gene repertoire expressed by CD8 +CD28 − Ts isolated from allospecific, xenospecific, and nominal antigen-specific T cell lines (TCL). A limited Vβ repertoire has been found in all TCLs studied. The most restricted TCR Vβ usage was observed within the population of Ts from xenospecific TCLs. The TCR Vβ usage within the Ts subset of TCL differs from the TCR repertoire expressed by the CD4 + Th subset of the same TCL. This is consistent with the fact that Ts and Th cells recognize distinct MHC/antigen complexes. The finding that the TCR repertoire used by Ts is limited opens new avenues for studying the mechanisms of transplant rejection.
Published Version
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