U. Bommhardt et al., SIGNALS THROUGH CD8 OR CD4 CAN INDUCE COMMITMENT TO THE CD4 LINEAGE IN THE THYMUS, European Journal of Immunology, 27(5), 1997, pp. 1152-1163
Differentiation of thymocytes into mature single-positive T cells is a
n ordered process involving sequential interactions between T cell rec
eptor (TCR), co-receptors (CD4 or CD8) and their appropriate major his
tocompatibility complex-encoded ligands. Precisely how these receptor/
co-receptor engagements determine lineage commitment is still controve
rsial, but recently it has been suggested that quantitative difference
s in the signal transmitted by co-ligation of CD4 versus CD8 with TCR
might provide the discriminating signal. We examine this hypothesis, u
sing bispecific F(ab')(2) antibodies to mimic TCR/co-receptor engageme
nt during thymocyte differentiation. These bispecific antibodies lack
Fc and can engage surface molecules without extensive cross-linking or
targeting to Fc receptor-bearing cells. We show that TCR/CD3 co-ligat
ion with CD4 induces efficient differentiation of mature CD4 lineage c
ells, irrespective of their TCR specificity. Interestingly, TCR/CD3 co
-ligation with CD8 also induces maturation of CD4 T cells, although le
ss efficiently, but not of CD8 T cells. Thus, although the signals del
ivered by co-ligation of TCR and CD8 appear weaker than from co-ligati
on of TCR and CD4, the outcome from either engagement is the same. The
se data suggest that differences in signal intensity alone do not dete
rmine lineage commitment in the thymus, but that distinct signals are
required for CD4 and CD8 single-positive cell differentiation.