Figure 5.

T cells with the 2.5mi⁺ reactivity are positively selected in the thymus and expand in the periphery. (a and b) Thymocytes, splenocytes, inguinal LNs (ILNs), PLNs, and infiltrated pancreatic T cells were stained for CD4, CD8, CD3, and A^g7/2.5mi tetramer. The percentage of A^g7/2.5mi⁺CD4⁺CD3^hi T cells was electronically calculated from the rectangle gate of each profile. (c) 2.5mi⁺CD4⁺ T cells expand in the periphery after leaving the thymus, and they accumulate in the PLNs. Average values represent independent experiments for seven mice analyzed. (d) Specific activation of 2.5mi⁺CD4⁺ T cells in PLNs. ILNs, PLNs, or superior mesenteric LNs (MLNs) from BDC-2.5 transgenic (Tg) mice (open squares) or from groups of 3-week-old (diamonds) or 4-week-old or older NOD mice (triangles) were costained with A^g7/2.5mi tetramers and anti-CD44.