Peripheral deletion of autoreactive CD8 T cells in transgenic mice expressing H‐2Kb in the liver

Abstract

The response of T cells specific for liver antigens was examined in transgenic mice expressing the allogeneic major histocompatibility complex class I molecule H‐2Kb (Kb) under the control of the sheep metallothionein promoter (Met‐Kb mice). To follow the fate of Kb‐specific T cells, and to prevent any aberrant thymic expression of the Kb transgene, the mice were thymectomized, lethally irradiated, protected with bone marrow cells from transgenic mice expressing in their T cells a Kb‐specific T cell receptor identifiable by a clonotypic antibody, and given syngeneic non‐transgenic thymus grafts. Although Kb‐specific CD8+ T cells were produced in the thymus grafts of these manipulated Met‐Kb ..