Alternative T cell receptor gene usage induced by self tolerance.

Ab-restricted, H-Y-specific T cell clones from C57BL/6 mice were found to use predominantly V beta 6 T cell receptor genes, conferring Mls-1a reactivity. However, the expression of Mls-1a as a self antigen in (DBA/2 x C57BL/6)F1 mice did not turn these mice into nonresponders to H-Y. Instead of V beta 6, they used other T cell receptor genes in this response. Thus, self tolerance appears to bias the repertoire of T cell receptor genes used in response to foreign antigens, without necessarily impairing the immune responsiveness to these antigens.