T-cell receptor-specific monoclonal antibodies against a V ? 11-positive mouse T-cell clone

Abstract

Two monoclonal antibodies specific for the mouse T-cell receptor (Tcr) have been established by immunization with a V _β 11⁺ T-cell clone, clone C6. One is a rat antibody, KT11 (IgG2b, k), specific for the V _β chain of C6, V _β 11. This was demonstrated by the fact that the strain distribution pattern of KT11⁺ cells was similar to that of V _β 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 13 and that the gene that encodes the molecule detected by KT11 was closely linked to V _β 8 in (B10 × SJL)F₁ × SJL backcross mice. Furthermore, V _β of C6 has been cloned from a λgt10 cDNA library and was demonstrated to be identical to the V _β 11 published sequences. All strains of mice that do not express major histocompatibility complex class II E molecules had higher numbers of KT11⁻ cells than E⁺ strains. The KT11⁺ population in A strain mice and its H-2 congenic strains, however, was not affected by the presence or absence of E molecules. The other is a mouse antibody, KTL2 (IgM), specific for the idiotope of the Tcr expressed on the clone C6. Both antibodies were mitogenic and induced cytotoxicity. Expression of epitopes detected by KT11 or KTL2 was down-modulated by a T3ε-specific antibody 145-2C11.