Abstract
Most thymocytes are either immature or functionally deficient and express a series of lymphocyte cell-surface antigen markers designated Lyt 1, Lyt 2 and Lyt 3 (refs 1,2) which have been useful in distinguishing functional subsets of T cells3,4. In contrast, a small population of cortisone-resistant thymocytes (CRT), confined to the thymic medulla after acute corticosteroid treatment are functionally more mature. These cells, like peripheral T cells, have restricted expression of Lyt antigens and mostly are either Lyt 1 or Lyt 123 cells3–5. It has thus been assumed that all thymocytes initially are Lyt 1+, 2+, 3+ and by differentiation lose either Lyt 1 or Lyt 2, 3 to result in Lyt 1+(23−) and Lyt (1−)23+ cells6–8. Using immunofluorescence (IF) and flow microfluorometry (FMF) analyses to detect Lyt antigen expression quantitatively without the requirement for cell lysis, we have now re-examined the expression of Lyt 1, 2 and 3 antigens on murine fetal thymocytes from 14 to 19 days of gestation and on normal thymocytes from birth to 2–3-monthold adults. These studies demonstrate that cells with the Lyt l+23− phenotype first appear in the thymus several days before Lyt 123+ thymocytes are detected, and suggest either a micro-environmental or site-specific influence for phenotypic differentiation and/or two independent, pre-committed lineages.
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Mathieson, B., Sharrow, S., Rosenberg, Y. et al. Lyt 1+23− cells appear in the thymus before Lyt 123+ cells. Nature 289, 179–181 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/289179a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/289179a0
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