Programmed cell death 1 and Helios distinguish TCR-αβ+ double-negative (CD4-CD8-) T cells that derive from self-reactive CD8 T cells.

ABSTRACT: TCR-αβ(+) double-negative (DN; CD4(-)CD8(-)) T cells represent a poorly understood cellular subset suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus. DN T cells have been proposed to derive from CD8(+) cells. However, the conditions that govern the loss of CD8 expression after Ag encounter are unknown. In this study, we tracked the fate of CD8 T cells from transgenic TCR mice exposed to their cognate Ags as self or in the context of infection. We demonstrate that CD8 T cells lose CD8 expression and become DN only when cognate Ag is sensed as self. This process is restricted to tissues where the Ag is present. We also show that DN T cells derived from self-reactive CD8 cells express the inhibitory molecules PD-1 and Helios. These molecules id

SUBMITTER: Rodriguez-Rodriguez N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4503929 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature