Adaptation by naive CD4⁺ T cells to self-antigen-dependent TCR signaling induces functional heterogeneity and tolerance.

ABSTRACT: Naïve CD4⁺ T cells experience weak T cell receptor (TCR) signals induced by self-peptides presented by MHC II. To investigate how these "basal" TCR signals influence responses to agonist TCR ligand stimulation, we analyzed naïve CD4⁺ cells expressing varying amounts of CD5, Ly6C, and Nur77-GFP, markers that reflect the strength of basal TCR signaling. Phenotypic analyses indicate that the broadest range of basal TCR signal strength can be visualized by a combination of Nur77-GFP and Ly6C. A range of basal TCR signaling is detectable even in populations that express identical TCRs. Whereas moderate basal TCR signal strength correlates with higher IL-2 secretion at early time points following TCR stimulation, weak basal TCR signaling correlated with higher IL-2 secretio

SUBMITTER: Zinzow-Kramer WM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6660790 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature