T-cell development in the absence of the pre-T-cell receptor.

Abstract The development of pre-T-cells with productive T-cell receptor β (TCR β ) rearrangements can be furthered by each of the pre-T-cell receptors (pre-TCR), the α β TCR as well as the γ δ TCR, albeit by distinct mechanisms. While the γ δ TCR affects CD4 − 8 − precursor cells irrespective of their TCR β rearrangement status both the pre-TCR and the α β TCR select only cells with productive TCR β genes for expansion and maturation. The α β TCR is much less effective than the pre-TCR because of the paucity of TCR α proteins in TCR β positive precursors.