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Expression of genes encoding the pre-TCR and CD3 complex during thymus development

Wilson, Anne ; MacDonald, H. Robson ; Malissen, B.

In: International Immunology, 1995, vol. 7, no. 10, p. 1659-1664

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    Title
    • Expression of genes encoding the pre-TCR and CD3 complex during thymus development
    Author
    • Wilson, Anne. Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
    • MacDonald, H. Robson. Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
    • Malissen, B.. Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    Language
    • English
    Published in
    • International Immunology, 1995, vol. 7, no. 10, p. 1659-1664. Oxford University Press
    Other Version
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:291525
    Summary
    The mature TCR is composed of a clonotypic heterodimer (αβor γδ) associated with the invariant CD3 components (γ, δ, ε and ζ). There is now considerable evidence that more immature forms of the TCR-CD3 complex (consisting of either CD3 alone or CD3 associated with a heterodimer of TCR β and pre-Tα) can be expressed at the cell surface on early thymocytes. These pre-TCR complexes are believed to be necessary for the ordered progression of early T cell development. We have analyzed in detail the expression of both the pre-TCR and CD3 complex at various stages of adult thymus development. Our data indicate that all CD3 components are already expressed at the mRNA level by the earliest identifiable (CD410) thymic precursor. In contrast, genes encoding the pre-TCR complex (pre-Tα and fully rearranged TCR β) are first expressed at the CD4410CD25+CD4−CD8− stage. Detectable surface expression of both CD3 and TCR β are delayed relative to expression of the corresponding genes, suggesting the existence of other (as yet unidentified) components of the pre-TCR complex