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Expression of genes encoding cytotoxic cell-associated serine proteases in thymocytes

Held, Werner ; MacDonald, H. Robson ; Mueller, Christoph

In: International Immunology, 1990, vol. 2, no. 1, p. 57-62

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    Titre
    • Expression of genes encoding cytotoxic cell-associated serine proteases in thymocytes
    Auteur
    • Held, Werner. Department of Pathology, University of Bern Freiburgstrasse 30, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
    • MacDonald, H. Robson. Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
    • Mueller, Christoph. Department of Pathology, University of Bern Freiburgstrasse 30, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
    Type de document
    • Postprint
    Langue
    • Anglais
    Publié dans
    • International Immunology, 1990, vol. 2, no. 1, p. 57-62. Oxford University Press
    Autre version électronique
    Identifiant OAI-PMH
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:291738
    Summary
    A family of homologous serine esterases designated granzyme A-H and the pore-forming protein perforin are present in cytoplasmic granules of mature peripheral cytolytic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. In vivo, the majority of cytotoxic T cells containing these granule-associated proteins are of the CD4−CD8+ phenotype. It is generally assumed that these cells are derived from immature CD4−CD8− thymocytes. However, the precise intrathymic differentiation steps leading to functionally mature cytotoxic T cells are unclear. Thus we decided to analyze the expression of genes in the thymus which are preferentially expressed in mature cytotoxic cells, i.e. granzyme A, granzyme B, and perforin. In situ hybridization on tissue sections revealed the expression of genes coding for granzyme A and granzyme B in the thymus. No evidence was found, however, for thymocytes expressing the perforin gene. Granzyme A and granzyme B mRNA positive cells in the thymus are almost exclusively CD4−CD8− thymocytes, particularly of the CD3− IL2R− phenotype