Ontogeny and selection of the T cell repertoire in transgenic mice

Abstract

T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice have contributed to many aspects in understanding T cell ontogeny and selection of the peripheral repertoire. We have generated beta and alphabeta TCR transgenic mice, that predominantly express receptor chain(s) specific for the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus glycoprotein, presented with the class I MHC H-2Db. This beta chain uses Vbeta8.1 and therefore reactivity with a self protein known as Mls(a) may also be studied. The effects of a functional beta transgene on rearrangement of the endogenous beta locus, and the gammadelta T cell lineage has been examined. In addition, both the beta and alphagamma transgenic mice have been used to study either positive or negative selection of T cells. Many groups have generated TCR transgenic mice, and those results, along with data from our transgenic animals will be discussed in this review.