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Developmental and functional impairment of T cells in mice lacking CD3 zeta chains.
Author(s) -
Ohno H.,
Aoe T.,
Taki S.,
Kitamura D.,
Ishida Y.,
Rajewsky K.,
Saito T.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1993.tb06120.x
Subject(s) - molecular genetics , division (mathematics) , human genetics , genetics , biology , gene , mathematics , arithmetic
CD3 zeta is a component of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) complex and is important for signal transduction. We have established mice selectively lacking CD3 zeta but able to express CD3 eta, a polypeptide produced from the same locus through alternative splicing, using the method of gene targeting in embryonic stem cells. In homozygous mutant mice, the numbers of thymocytes and peripheral T cells were greatly reduced and the expression levels of TCR on these cells were 5‐fold lower than those on wild‐type cells. By contrast, TCR gamma delta+ intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes were not obviously affected by the mutation. T cells from homozygous mutants exhibited an impaired proliferative response. These results imply that CD3 zeta has a critical role in the development and signal transduction of T cells in vivo.