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Deletion of autoreactive thymocytes at the DP stage is the basis for tolerance to thymus-expressed self antigens. In this study we investigated whether distinct signalling pathways are induced in DP thymocytes as compared to mature T cells upon stimulation with antigen. Using triple transgenic mice expressing a TCR transgene, dominant negative ras/Mek proteins and a reporter gene construct with AP-1 or NF-kappa B binding sites, we showed a complete lack of transcriptional activity of NF-kappa B but not AP-1 in DP thymocytes, whereas both were transcriptionally active in mature T cells after antigenic stimulation. Lack of NF-kappa B induction correlated with increased death in response to antigen. AP-1 induction was dependent on the integrity of the ras/Mek pathway indicating that this pathway was activated in the DP thymocytes. In contrast, we found a complete lack of constitutive expression of the epsilon isoform of Protein Kinase C (PKC) in DP thymocytes, although it was present in mature thymocytes and peripheral T cells. Taken together the results suggest that the lack of PKC epsilon in DP thymocytes could lead to the absence of NF-kappa B activity after antigenic stimulation contributing to negative selection. Cell Death and Differentiation (2000) 7, 1253 - 1262.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/sj.cdd.4400760

Type

Journal article

Journal

Cell death differ

Publication Date

12/2000

Volume

7

Pages

1253 - 1262

Keywords

Animals, Apoptosis, CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes, CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes, H-2 Antigens, Isoenzymes, MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases, Mice, Mice, Transgenic, NF-kappa B, Protein Kinase C, Protein Kinase C-epsilon, Thymus Gland, Transcription Factor AP-1, Transcriptional Activation, ras Proteins