The function and structure of the TCR proteins of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) were examined using a panel of mAbs specific for TCR-gamma/delta. Three subsets of TCR-gamma/delta+ IEL could be detected with five mAbs, termed GL1-GL5. The mAbs were able to trigger lysis via crosslinking of the IEL TCR and all of the subsets were constitutively cytolytic. Immunoprecipitation of IEL TCR protei...

The interaction between a T cell and an antigen-presenting cell is the initiating event in T cell-mediated adaptive immunity. The Immunological Synapse (IS) is formed at the interface between these two cell types, and is the site where antigen (Ag)-specific recognition and activation are induced through the T cell receptor (TCR). This occurs at the center of the IS, and cell adhesion is support...

We have investigated the role of common gamma chain (gamma c)-signaling pathways for the development of T cell receptor for antigen (TCR)-gamma/delta T cells. TCR-gamma/delta-bearing cells were absent from the adult thymus, spleen, and skin of gamma c-deficient (gamma c-) mice, whereas small numbers of thymocytes expressing low levels of TCR-gamma/delta were detected during fetal life. Recent r...

In spite of a comprehensive understanding of the schematics of T cell receptor (TCR) signaling, the mechanisms regulating compartmentalization of signaling molecules, their transient interactions, and rearrangement of membrane structures initiated upon TCR engagement remain an outstanding problem. These gaps in our knowledge are exemplified by recent data demonstrating that TCR triggering is la...

One of the earliest events following TCR triggering is TCR down-regulation. However, the mechanisms behind TCR down-regulation are still not fully known. Some studies have suggested that only directly triggered TCR are internalized, whereas others studies have indicated that, in addition to triggered receptors, nonengaged TCR are also internalized (comodulated). In this study, we used transfect...

The rearrangement patterns of Ig and T-cell receptor (TcR) genes were studied by Southern blot analysis in 30 precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (B-ALLs) and 10 T-ALLs at diagnosis and subsequent relapse. Eight precursor B-ALLs appeared to contain biclonal/oligoclonal Ig heavy-chain (IgH) gene rearrangements at diagnosis. Differences in rearrangement patterns between diagnosis and r...

Recent studies have shown that maturation of CD4-8- double negative (DN) thymocytes to the CD4+8+ double positive (DP) stage is dependent on expression of the T cell receptor (TCR)-beta polypeptide. The exact mechanism by which the TCR-beta chain regulates this maturation step remains unknown. Previous experiments had suggested that in the presence of some TCR+ thymocytes, additional DN thymocy...

Cultivation of CD4-CD8- double negative (DN) mouse thymocytes and splenocytes with recombinant interleukin 2 (IL2) in the absence of other stimulation results in the generation of DN-CD3/TCR+CD16+NK1.1+B220+ large granular lymphocytes (LGL). Purified DN alpha-beta TCR+ thymocytes and splenocytes are CD16+IL2R alpha-IL2R beta+NK1.1+B220-CD5high. These cells are unique in that they express both C...