Characterization of intermediate TCR cells in the liver of mice with respect to their unique IL-2R expression.

We previously demonstrated that T cells with intermediate TCR intensity (i.e., intermediate TCR cells) which possibly generate extrathymically are preferentially present in the liver of mice. This population was further characterized with respect to the expression of IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) and others. Two-color staining for CD3 (or TCR alpha beta) and IL-2R alpha (and beta) demonstrated that intermediate TCR cells as well as NK cells constitutively expressed IL-2R beta but not IL-2R alpha. A small number of intermediate TCR cells was also identified in other immune organs by using this staining method. In vivo and in vitro stimulation experiments revealed that regular, bright TCR cells, which originally lacked the expression of both IL-2R alpha and beta, acquired the highest expression of IL-2R alpha and beta, while intermediate TCR cells did not. These results suggested, in conjunction with their other properties demonstrated here, that intermediate TCR cells might be more primitive T cells than regular T cells of thymic origin.