title: Development of B-lymphocyte colony-forming cells in foetal mouse tissues.
abstract: In CBA and (CBA X C57B1)F1 mice, cells forming B-lymphocyte colonies in agar culture were first detected in the 17-day foetal liver and the following day in the spleen, bone marrow and peripheral blood. Colony-forming cells were not detected in the yolk sac or foetal thymus. Adult levels of colony-forming cells were achieved within 3 days of birth. In organ cultures of 15-day foetal liver or spleen, B-lymphocyte colony-forming cells developed during a 5-day incubation period, indicating that both organs can function as bursal analogues. Foetal liver colony-forming cells were of small size and generated colonies of cells with a pattern of membrane immunoglobulin similar to colony cells generated by cells from adult animals.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002999:Clone Cells; D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000276:immunology*; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008623:Mercaptoethanol; D051379:Mice; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors; D008623:Mercaptoethanol