Human HLA-DQ beta chain presents minor lymphocyte stimulating locus gene products and clonally deletes TCR V beta 6+, V beta 8.1+ T cells in single transgenic mice.

Minor lymphocyte stimulating locus (Mls) gene products in association with mouse major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules are known to determine the repertoire of T-cell receptor (TCR) in mature T cells. In order to test whether human class II molecules can present mouse Mls, HLA-DQ beta transgenic mice were generated. The expression and function of the DQ beta transgene were studied in the progeny of one selected founder which was H-2f and H-2E negative. In these mice, DQ beta molecules pairing with mouse A alpha chain and invariant chain are expressed on the cell surface in a tissue-specific manner. When the DQ beta gene was bred into the Mls-1a strain DBA/1 (H-2q), T cells bearing V beta 6 and V beta 8.1 TCR were clonally deleted in the thymus of DQ beta+ transgenics but not in DQ beta-negative full sibs. Thus, the data presented here clearly demonstrate that the human MHC DQ beta chain can present Mls in the clonal deletion of T cells. Our results also suggest the requirement for an interaction between CD4 and class II molecules (alpha chain) for clonal deletion of T cells to occur.