Mutations in T-cell antigen receptor genes alpha and beta block thymocyte development at different stages.

Mombaerts, P; Clarke, A R; Rudnicki, M A; Iacomini, J; Itohara, S; Lafaille, J J; Wang, L; Ichikawa, Y et al. · Nature · 1992

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Analysis of mice carrying mutant T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) genes indicates that TCR-beta gene rearrangement or expression is critical for the differentiation of CD4-CD8- thymocytes to CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, as well as for the expansion of the pool of CD4+CD8+ cells. TCR-alpha is irrelevant in these developmental processes. The development of gamma delta T cells does not depend on either TCR-alpha or TCR-beta.

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