Korean Journal of Anatomy  1999;32(5):717-726

Proliferation of Mature T Cells in the Periphery of the Mice.

Dong Sup LEE 1 ; Wang Jae LEE

Affiliations

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Keywords

Mouse; CD4 T cell; CD8 T cell

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

In order to find out the proliferative ability and functional capacity of peripherally expanded mature T cells, syngeneic lymph node cells were injected into thymectomized and irradiated adult mice. Donor and host T cells were evaluated in specific time points. The results were as followings. 1. As compared to the engrafted lymphocytes after transfer, we observed 54~60 fold increase in CD4 T cells and 113~130 fold increase in CD8 cells, that is, CD8 cells proliferated more than CD4 cells in the periphery. 2. Mature T cells proliferated in the periphery got activated/memory phenotype in the early period of expansion but they upregulated CD45RB and CD62L in the later period. CD44 level remained high. 3. T cells maintained their response against soluble antigen, KLH but the reactivity against some polyclonal T cell activators, such as anti-CD3 antibody and concanavalin A were reduced severely in the 6 month expanded group. 4. The leftover host T cells also proliferated in the space and they behave similar to donor T cells in proliferation and change of activation/memory markers.