Thymic macrophages modulate one stage of T cell differentiation in vitro.
We have described a procedure for isolating thymic macrophages and have evaluated their activity in stimulating thymocyte maturation in vitro. The culturing of gradient-purified immature thymocytes on thymic macrophages leads to an increased expression of H-2 antigens and decreased lytic sensitivity with anti-TL and C. The macrophage-stimulated thymocyte also acquires the ability to respond in the MLR. We propose that the macrophage may regulate one stage of thymic differentiation in vivo.
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006648:Histocompatibility; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology*