Thymic selection of cytotoxic T cells independent of CD8 alpha-Lck association

Science. 1993 Sep 17;261(5128):1581-4. doi: 10.1126/science.8372352.

Abstract

The CD8 alpha cytoplasmic domain associates with p56lck, a nonreceptor protein-tyrosine kinase. The biological relevance of CD8 alpha-Lck association in T cell development was tested with transgenic mice generated to express a CD8 alpha molecule with two amino acid substitutions in its cytoplasmic domain, which abolishes the association of CD8 alpha with Lck. The CD8 alpha mutant was analyzed in a CD8-/- background and in the context of the transgenic 2C T cell receptor. The development and function of CD8+ T cells in these mice were apparently normal. Thus, CD8 alpha-Lck association is not necessary for positive selection, negative selection, or CD8-dependent cytotoxic function.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4 Antigens / metabolism
  • CD8 Antigens / immunology
  • CD8 Antigens / metabolism*
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic*
  • Female
  • Genes, MHC Class I
  • Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed
  • Lymphocyte Specific Protein Tyrosine Kinase p56(lck)
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mutation
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*

Substances

  • CD4 Antigens
  • CD8 Antigens
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Lymphocyte Specific Protein Tyrosine Kinase p56(lck)