Thymocyte lineage commitment: is it instructed or stochastic?

Curr Opin Immunol. 1994 Apr;6(2):266-72. doi: 10.1016/0952-7915(94)90100-7.

Abstract

Thymocytes co-expressing the CD4 and CD8 co-receptors differentiate into mature T cells that express either CD4 or CD8 and have helper or cytotoxic functions, respectively. Recent studies indicate that commitment to the CD4+ or CD8+ lineages occurs stochastically, but retention of the appropriate co-receptor is required to complete development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / physiology
  • CD8 Antigens / physiology
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Specific Protein Tyrosine Kinase p56(lck)
  • Major Histocompatibility Complex / genetics
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / physiology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / physiology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Stochastic Processes
  • T-Lymphocytes / physiology*
  • Thymus Gland / cytology*
  • Thymus Gland / growth & development

Substances

  • CD8 Antigens
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Lymphocyte Specific Protein Tyrosine Kinase p56(lck)