Precursors of functional MHC class I- or class II-restricted CD8alphaalpha(+) T cells are positively selected in the thymus by agonist self-peptides |
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Authors: | Leishman Andrew J Gapin Laurent Capone Myriam Palmer Ed MacDonald H Robson Kronenberg Mitchell Cheroutre Hilde |
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Affiliation: | La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, 10355 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92121, USA. |
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Abstract: | The origin and specificity of alphabeta TCR(+) T cells that express CD8alphaalpha have been controversial issues. Here we provide direct evidence that precursors of functional CD8alphaalpha T cells are positively selected in the thymus in the presence of agonist self-peptides. Like conventional positive selection, this agonist selection process requires functional TCR alpha-CPM, whereas it is independent of CD8beta expression. Furthermore, CD8alphaalpha expression on mature, agonist-selected T cells does not imply selection by MHC class I, and CD8alphaalpha(+) T cells can be either class I or class II restricted. Our data define a distinct agonist-dependent, positive selection process in the thymus, and they suggest a function for CD8alphaalpha distinct from the conventional TCR coreceptor function of CD8alphabeta or CD4. |
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