Mouse gamma delta TCR+NK1.1+ thymocytes specifically produce interleukin-4, are major histocompatibility complex class I independent, and are developmentally related to alpha beta TCR+NK1.1+ thymocytes.

Mouse T cells co-expressing an alpha beta T cell receptor (TCR) and the NK1.1 antigen have been shown to be major interleukin (IL)-4-producing cells and could therefore regulate cell-mediated immune responses. We have identified a related sub-set of thymocytes co-expressing a gamma delta TCR and NK1.1 which also produce IL-4. Unlike alpha beta +NK1.1+ thymocytes, the selection of gamma delta +NK1.1+ thymocytes is not dependent upon beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m)-associated class I molecule expression because these cells are present in beta 2m-deficient mice. This suggests that gamma delta +NK1.1+ T cells may regulate immune responses to a different variety of antigens. However, the development of alpha beta +NK1.1+ and gamma delta +NK1.1+ thymocytes appears to be related. Analysis of different mutant mice lacking alpha beta +NK1.1+ thymocytes revealed a specific increase in gamma delta +NK1.1+ thymocyte production when the block in alpha beta +NK1.1+ thymocyte differentiation occurs after beta TCR rearrangement.