Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
2000-3-14
pubmed:abstractText
MHC molecules are normally required for the development of thymocytes from the CD4(+)CD8(+) double-positive to the CD4 or CD8 single-positive stage. Here we show that mitogenic plant lectins can substitute for MHC molecules in driving the differentiation of phenotypically and functionally mature CD4 as well as CD8 T cells. Interestingly, lectin dosage determines whether CD4 or CD8 cells are generated, indicating that variation of cumulative signal strength (not necessarily signal quality) can result in an apparent switching of lineage preference. Thymocyte perception of differentiation-inducing signals is modulated by the cellular context, since stimuli that yield CD8 cells in the context of the thymic microenvironment fail to do so in suspension culture and generate CD4 progeny instead. Finally, we show that lectin-generated single-positive thymocytes retain the ability to respond to the ligands initially used to drive their differentiation. Our results call into question generalizations and predictions made from other experimental systems and reveal that thymocyte selection is considerably more flexible than had been anticipated.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Feb
pubmed:issn
0014-2980
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
30
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
371-81
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2000
pubmed:articleTitle
Different doses of agonistic ligand drive the maturation of functional CD4 and CD8 T cells from immature precursors.
pubmed:affiliation
Lymphocyte Development Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College School of Medicine, London, Great Britain.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't