TY - JOUR
T1 - Phenotypic Characterization of CD3–7+ Cells in Developing Human Intestine and an Analysis of Their Ability to Differentiate into T Cells
AU - Gunther, Ulrich
AU - Hollway, JA
AU - Gordon, John
AU - Knight, A
AU - Chance, V
AU - Hanley, NA
AU - Wilson, DI
AU - French, R
AU - Spencer, J
AU - Anderson, Graham
AU - MacDonald, TT
PY - 2005/1/1
Y1 - 2005/1/1
N2 - We have identified a large population of CD3(-)7(+) cells in human fetal gut. Three- and four-color flow cytometry revealed a distinct surface Ag profile on this population; the majority were negative for CD4 and CD8, whereas most of the remainder expressed the CD8 alpha alpha homodimer. In contrast about half of CD3(+) cells expressed CD4 and half expressed CD8 alpha. A large proportion of CD3(-)7(+) cells expressed CD56, CD94, and CD161, and whereas CD3(+) T cells also expressed CD161, they only rarely expressed CD56 or CD94. Further studies were conducted to determine whether the CD3(-)7(+) cells have the potential to differentiate into CD3(+) cells. About half of CD3(-)7(+) cells contain intracellular CD3 epsilon. Rearranged TCR gamma-chains were detected in highly purified CD3(-)7(+) cells as an early molecular sign of T cell commitment, and the pattern of rearrangement with V regions spliced to the most 5' J-Y segment is reminiscent of early thymocyte differentiation. In reaggregate thymic organ cultures, CD3(-)7(+) cells also gave rise to CD3(+) T cells. Thus, we demonstrate that the CD3(-)7(+) cells present in the human fetal gut display a distinct phenotype and are able to develop into CD3(+) T cells.
AB - We have identified a large population of CD3(-)7(+) cells in human fetal gut. Three- and four-color flow cytometry revealed a distinct surface Ag profile on this population; the majority were negative for CD4 and CD8, whereas most of the remainder expressed the CD8 alpha alpha homodimer. In contrast about half of CD3(+) cells expressed CD4 and half expressed CD8 alpha. A large proportion of CD3(-)7(+) cells expressed CD56, CD94, and CD161, and whereas CD3(+) T cells also expressed CD161, they only rarely expressed CD56 or CD94. Further studies were conducted to determine whether the CD3(-)7(+) cells have the potential to differentiate into CD3(+) cells. About half of CD3(-)7(+) cells contain intracellular CD3 epsilon. Rearranged TCR gamma-chains were detected in highly purified CD3(-)7(+) cells as an early molecular sign of T cell commitment, and the pattern of rearrangement with V regions spliced to the most 5' J-Y segment is reminiscent of early thymocyte differentiation. In reaggregate thymic organ cultures, CD3(-)7(+) cells also gave rise to CD3(+) T cells. Thus, we demonstrate that the CD3(-)7(+) cells present in the human fetal gut display a distinct phenotype and are able to develop into CD3(+) T cells.
M3 - Article
C2 - 15843540
SN - 1550-6606
VL - 174
SP - 5414
EP - 5422
JO - Journal of Immunology
JF - Journal of Immunology
ER -