The V beta 8 gene family is preferentially used by 'naturally' activated T cells.

Receptors encoded by the V beta 8 gene family detected by the monoclonal antibody F23.1 are expressed among 'naturally' activated T cells in normal spleen at frequencies significantly higher than in the total CD4+ and CD8+ cell populations. The positive selection of these clones into 'natural' T-cell activity could be the reason for the high frequencies of cells expressing V beta 8 genes. This phenotype is strain-dependent.