Negative selection of Tcra-V8+CD8+ T cells by MHC class I molecules.

Tcrb-V-specific positive and negative selection of T cells has been well documented. In contrast, nothing is known about Tcra-V-specific selection. Using Tcra-V8-specific KT50 antibody Tcra-V8-specific selection of T cells has been examined. The CD8+ T cell subpopulation bearing Tcra-V8 are shown to be negatively selected by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I H-2Kd and H-2Dd/Ld molecules. Furthermore, percentages of these T cells are also influenced by Tcra-V haplotypes. Involvement of non-H-2 self (super)antigens in this MHC class I restricted negative selection, however, remains to be determined.