Several Different Cell Surface Molecules Control Negative Selection of Medullary Thymocytes

Repeated attempts to show that costimulation for negative selection is controlled by a single cell surface molecule have been unsuccessful. Thus, negative selection may involve multiple cell surface molecules acting in consort. In support of this idea, we show here that at least three cell surface molecules, namely CD28, CD5, and CD43, contribute to Fas-independent negative selection of the tolerance-susceptible population of heat-stable antigen (HSA)^hiCD4⁺8⁻ cells found in the medulla. The costimulatory function of these three molecules can be blocked by certain cytokines, IL-4 and IL-7, and coinjecting these cytokines with antigen in vivo abolishes negative selection; Fas-dependent negative selection, however, is maintained. The results suggest that efficient negative selection requires the combined functions of at least four cell surface molecules: CD28, CD5, CD43, and Fas.