Characterization of a murine thymic CD4T cell subset-TCRαβ3G116C10CD4CD8thymocytes

<正> The presence of a relatively mature CD4 + CD8- （SP） T cell subset in mouse thymus has been demonstrated. Composing of 10% of total CD4SP thymocytes, this subset is defined by the absence of 3G11 and 6C10 expression with a phenotype of CD69+/-, HSAmed/lo and heterogeneous for Qa-2 expression. The proliferation capability of TCRαβ+ 3G11- 6C10- CD4+ CD8- thymocytes was high while using Con A stimulus. And Con A stimulation could result in secretion of IL-4, IL-10, IL-6 and a little amount of IFNγ. IL-2 was barely detectable. This is distinct from typical Th0 type cytokines. The cells of this subset were NK1.1 negative, but strongly expressed GATA-3 mRNA. The results suggest that the CD4+ subset of 3G11- 6C10- NK1.1- phenotype possesses immunocompetent cells with functions characteristic of Th2-like cytokines, which may indicate the cells at transitional status from Th0 to Th2, with a propensity to Th2.