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Title: Thymic lineage commitment rather than selection causes genetic variations in size of CD4 and CD8 compartments. Author: van Meerwijk JP, Bianchi T, Marguerat S, MacDonald HR. Journal: J Immunol; 1998 Apr 15; 160(8):3649-54. PubMed ID: 9558064. Abstract: During their development, immature CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes become committed to either the CD4 or CD8 lineage. Subsequent complete maturation of CD4+ and CD8+ cells requires a molecular match of the expressed coreceptor and the MHC specificity of the TCR. The final size of the mature CD4+ and CD8+ thymic compartments is therefore determined by a combination of lineage commitment and TCR-mediated selection. In humans and mice, the relative size of CD4+ and CD8+ peripheral T cell compartments shows marked genetic variability. We show here that genetic variations in thymic lineage commitment, rather than TCR-mediated selection processes, are responsible for the distinct CD4/CD8 ratios observed in common inbred mouse strains. Genetic variations in the regulation of lineage commitment open new ways to analyze this process and to identify the molecules involved.[Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]