An adult thymic stromal-cell suspension model for in vitro positive selection

Ann P. Chidgey, Hanspeter Pircher, H. Robson Macdonald, Richard L. Boyd

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Presented here is a cell-suspension model for positive selection using thymocytes from αβ-TCR (H-2Db-restricted) transgenic mice specific to the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) on a nonselecting MHC background (H-2(d) or TAP-1 -/-), cocultured with freshly isolated adult thymus stromal cells of the selecting MHC type. The thymic stromal cells alone induced positive selection of functional CD4-CD8+ cells whose kinetics and efficiency were enhanced by nominal peptide. Fibroblasts expressing the selecting MHC alone did not induce positive selection; however, together with nonselecting stroma and nominal peptide, there was inefficient positive. These results suggest multiple signaling in positive selection with selection events able to occur on multiple-cell types. The ease with which this model can be manipulated should greatly facilitate the resolution of the mechanisms of positive selection in normal and pathological states.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)157-170
Number of pages14
JournalDevelopmental Immunology
Volume6
Issue number3-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 1998

Keywords

  • LCMV
  • Peptides
  • Positive selection
  • T-cell differentiation
  • Thymic selection

Cite this