Concurrent or sequential delta and beta TCR gene rearrangement during thymocyte development: individual thymi follow distinct pathways. J Immunol 1997 Jul 15;159(2):529-33
Date
07/15/1997Pubmed ID
9218565Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0031570819 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 11 CitationsAbstract
Analysis of TCR rearrangement profiles of well-defined thymocyte populations in a number of individual thymi provides evidence for a new pathway of lineage commitment. In all of the thymi analyzed, alphabeta thymocytes have rearrangements in the delta locus that are enhanced for out-of-frame rearrangements. Thus, not only did alphabeta thymocytes pass through a stage in differentiation that included delta rearrangement, but they also constitute a population that was relatively unsuccessful at these rearrangements. Interestingly, in some thymi, gammadelta thymocytes have out-of-frame beta rearrangements. This represents a novel pathway in which delta and beta rearrangement happens concurrently. In this pathway, selection favors whichever gene is in frame, thus improving the chances of generating useful T cells. In other thymi, gammadelta cells showed no obvious beta gene rearrangement, indicating a sequential rearrangement. Thus, alphabeta/gammadelta lineage commitment can follow at least two distinct pathways in different individuals.
Author List
Margolis D, Yassai M, Hletko A, McOlash L, Gorski JAuthor
David A. Margolis MD Chair, Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Cell DifferentiationGene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte
Humans
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta
T-Lymphocytes
Thymus Gland
