HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by van Meerwijk, J. P. M. Articles by MacDonald, H. R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by van Meerwijk, J. P. M. Articles by MacDonald, H. R.

Thymic Lineage Commitment Rather Than Selection Causes Genetic Variations in Size of CD4 and CD8 Compartments

Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland

During their development, immature CD4⁺CD8⁺ thymocytes become committed to either the CD4 or CD8 lineage. Subsequent complete maturation of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells requires a molecular match of the expressed coreceptor and the MHC specificity of the TCR. The final size of the mature CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ thymic compartments is therefore determined by a combination of lineage commitment and TCR-mediated selection. In humans and mice, the relative size of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ peripheral T cell compartments shows marked genetic variability. We show here that genetic variations in thymic lineage commitment, rather than TCR-mediated selection processes, are responsible for the distinct CD4/CD8 ratios observed in common inbred mouse strains. Genetic variations in the regulation of lineage commitment open new ways to analyze this process and to identify the molecules involved.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				V. Thomas-Vaslin, H. K. Altes, R. J. de Boer, and D. Klatzmann Comprehensive Assessment and Mathematical Modeling of T Cell Population Dynamics and Homeostasis J. Immunol., February 15, 2008; 180(4): 2240 - 2250. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Shanker, N. Auphan-Anezin, P. Chomez, L. Giraudo, B. V. d. Eynde, and A.-M. Schmitt-Verhulst Thymocyte-Intrinsic Genetic Factors Influence CD8 T Cell Lineage Commitment and Affect Selection of a Tumor-Reactive TCR J. Immunol., April 15, 2004; 172(8): 5069 - 5077. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Karlsson, X. Zhao, I. Lonskaya, M. Neptin, R. Holmdahl, and A. Andersson Novel Quantitative Trait Loci Controlling Development of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis and Proportion of Lymphocyte Subpopulations J. Immunol., January 15, 2003; 170(2): 1019 - 1026. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. S. Sobel, L. Morel, R. Baert, C. Mohan, J. Schiffenbauer, and E. K. Wakeland Genetic Dissection of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Pathogenesis: Evidence for Functional Expression of Sle3/5 by Non-T Cells J. Immunol., October 1, 2002; 169(7): 4025 - 4032. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Jimenez, A. Vicente, R. Sacedon, J. J. Munoz, G. Weinmaster, A. G. Zapata, and A. Varas Distinct Mechanisms Contribute to Generate and Change the CD4:CD8 Cell Ratio During Thymus Development: A Role for the Notch Ligand, Jagged1 J. Immunol., May 15, 2001; 166(10): 5898 - 5908. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. G. M. C. Damoiseaux, B. Cautain, I. Bernard, M. Mas, P. J. C. van Breda Vriesman, P. Druet, G. Fournie, and A. Saoudi A Dominant Role for the Thymus and MHC Genes in Determining the Peripheral CD4/CD8 T Cell Ratio in the Rat J. Immunol., September 15, 1999; 163(6): 2983 - 2989. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. D. McFarland, D. C. Douek, R. A. Koup, and L. J. Picker Identification of a human recent thymic emigrant phenotype PNAS, April 11, 2000; 97(8): 4215 - 4220. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]