Abstract
Thymus-derived lymphocytes (T cells) recognize antigen in the context of class I or class II molecules encoded by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) by virtue of the heterodimeric αβ T-cell receptor (TCR)1,2. CD4 and CDS molecules expressed on the surface of T cells bind to nonpolymorphic portions of class II and class I MHC molecules and assist the TCR in binding and possibly in signalling3,4. The analysis of T-cell development in TCR transgenic mice has shown that the CD4/CD8 phenotype of T cells is determined by the interaction of the αβ TCR expressed on immature CD4+8+ thymocytes with polymorphic domains of thymic MHC molecules in the absence of nominal antigen5. Here we provide direct evidence that positive selection of antigen-specific, class I MHC-restricted CD4−8+ T cells in the thymus requires the specific interaction of the αβ TCR with the restricting class I MHC molecule.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Dembic, Z. et al. Nature 320, 232–238 (1986).
Saito, T. et al. Nature 325, 125–130 (1987).
Gabert, J. et al. Cell 50, 545–554 (1987).
Gay, D. et al. Nature 328, 626–629 (1987).
Teh, H. S. et al. Nature 335, 229–233 (1988).
Kisielow, P. et al. Nature 333, 742–746 (1988).
Staerz, U., Rammensee, H., Benedetto, J. & Bevan, M. J. Immun. 134, 3994–4000 (1985).
Bevan, M. J. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 74, 2094–2098 (1977).
Lemmonier, F., Burakoff, S. J., Germain, R. N. & Benaceraff, B. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 74, 1229–1233 (1977).
Sredni, B. & Schwartz, R. H. Immun. Rev. 54, 187–223 (1981).
von Boehmer, H. et al. Eur. J. Immun. 9, 592–597 (1979).
Bevan, M. J. Nature 269, 417–419 (1977).
Zinkernagel, R. M. et al. J. exp. Med. 147, 882–896 (1987).
von Boehmer, H., Haas, W. & Jerne, N. K. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 75, 2434–2442 (1978).
Kappler, J. & Marrack, P. J. J. exp. Med. 148, 1510–1522 (1978).
Klein, J. in Immunology: the Science of Self-Non-Self Discrimination 267 (Wiley, New York, 1982).
Matzinger, P. Nature 292, 497–499 (1981).
Egorov, I. K., Mnatsakanyan & Pospelov, L. E. Immunogenetics 5, 65–74 (1977).
Meo, T., Vives, J., Miggiano, V. & Shreffler, D. Trans. Proc. 5, 377–381 (1973).
Hünig, T. & Bevan, M. J. J. exp. Med. 155, 111–125 (1982).
Marrack, P. & Kappler, J. Nature 332, 840–843 (1988).
Teh, H. S., Bennink, J. & von Boehmer, H. Eur. J. Immun. 12, 887–892 (1982).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kisielow, P., Teh, H., Blüthmann, H. et al. Positive selection of antigen-specific T cells in thymus by restricting MHC molecules. Nature 335, 730–733 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1038/335730a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/335730a0
This article is cited by
-
A guide to thymic selection of T cells
Nature Reviews Immunology (2024)
-
Thymus and autoimmunity
Seminars in Immunopathology (2021)
-
How does the immune system learn to distinguish between good and evil? The first definitive studies of T cell central tolerance and positive selection
Immunogenetics (2019)
-
Thymoproteasome and peptidic self
Immunogenetics (2019)
-
The deubiquitinating enzyme CYLD regulates the differentiation and maturation of thymic medullary epithelial cells
Immunology & Cell Biology (2015)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.