T cell receptor V beta repertoire of double-negative alpha/beta T cells in patients with systemic sclerosis.

To analyze the T cell receptor V beta gene on double-negative (DN) alpha/beta T cells, which are increased in number, on peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The DN alpha/beta T cells were sorted by flow cytometry from PBL obtained from 3 patients with SSc. The V beta repertoire was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction. Only 1 or 2 V beta genes (V beta 5/7, 5, or 17) were predominantly expressed on DN alpha/beta T cells from these 3 patients. The V beta repertoire on DN alpha/beta T cells in PBL from patients with SSc is rather restricted.