Helper and killer T cells do not express B cell immunoglobulin joining and constant region gene segments.

Abstract

Some 4 kinds of T cells were analyzed for rearrangement and expression of Ig genes. These cells include: whole thymus; WEHI-22, a T-cell lymphoma; HT-1, a major histocompatibility complex-restricted T helper line; and CTLLi6, an H-2 alloreactive killer cell line. None of the B-cell joining and constant gene segments are rearranged in the T cells. The monoclonal cells do not express any C.kappa., C.LAMBDA., C.mu., or C.alpha. RNA species. Small amounts of C.kappa., C.alpha., and C.mu. sequences are present in RNA prepared from the thymus, although the significance of this RNA for T-cell antigen receptor synthesis is uncertain. The hypotheses that expression of B-cell joining and C gene segments is unnecessary for T-cell helper and T-cell killer activity is supported.