Interleukin 4 induces CD4+/CD8- to CD8+/CD4- transformation of human neonatal T cells by way of a double positive intermediate |
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| Authors: | D C Reason M Ebisawa H Saito T Nagakura Y Iikura |
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| Institution: | Division of Allergy, National Children's Medical Research Center, Tokyo, Japan. |
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| Abstract: | We have determined that IL-4 induces the generation of CD4+/CD8+ T cells in cultures of neonatal lymphocytes. Sorting, positive, and negative selection experiments indicate that these cells arise from a subpopulation of CD4+/CD8- cells present in the neonate but not in the adult. We have further determined that these IL-4 generated "double positive" cells further differentiate to express only the CD8 marker. Our findings suggest an undescribed and dramatic role for IL-4 in T cell differentiation. |
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