Correlation between the Vß4+CD8+ T-cell population and theH-2 d haplotype

Abstract

The Vß4 ⁺ T-cell population was examined with a newly established antibody, KT4, specific for Vß4. Between 4.8% and 19.4% of CD3⁺ peripheral T cells from various inbred strains of mice or Fl hybrids expressed Vß4. The CD4 T-cell population had higher numbers of Vβ4⁺ T cells (5.5%–20.6%) than the CD8 T-cell population (2.5%–10.7%). Deletion of certain Vβexpressing T cells due to the presence of the Mls^a antigen and/or the absence of certainTcrb-V genes increased relative numbers of Vß4⁺ T cells. The data suggest that Vβ4⁺ CD8⁺ T cells might be positively selected by H-2^d molecules.