Abstract
Several studies have demonstrated an apparent link between positive selection on hematopoietic cells (HCs) and an "innate"T-cell phenotype. Whereas conventional CD8 + T cells are primarily selected on thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and certain innate T cells are exclusively selected on HCs, MHC class Ib-restricted CD8 + T cells appear to be selected on both TECs and HCs. However, whether TEC- and HC-selected T cells represent distinct lineages or whether the same T-cell precursors have the capacity to be selected on either cell type is unknown. Using an M3-restricted T-cell receptor transgenic mouse model, we demonstrate that not only are MHC class Ib-restricted CD8 + T cells capable of being selected on either cell type but that selecting cell type directly affects the phenotype of the resulting CD8 + T cells. M3-restricted CD8 + T cells selected on HCs acquire a more activated phenotype and possess more potent effector functions than those selected on TECs. Additionally, these two developmental pathways are active in the generation of the natural pool of M3-restricted CD8 + T cells. Our results suggest that these two distinct populations may allow MHC class Ib-restricted CD8 + T cells to occupy different immunological niches playing unique roles in immune responses to infection.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 13241-13246 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
Volume | 108 |
Issue number | 32 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 9 2011 |
Keywords
- CD8 T cells
- H2-M3
- Innate lymphocytes
- T-cell development
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General