title: Inhibition of T-cell differentiation by an antibody to a soluble thymic factor.
abstract: An antiserum to chicken soluble thymic factor (STF) was prepared in rabbits and absorbed with chicken thymocytes until it reacted only with thymic reticuloepithelial cells. When injected into 6-day-old embryonated eggs, this antiserum caused a severe depletion of small lymphocytes in the cortical region of the thymus which was filled with large undifferentiated cells. In addition, reticuloepithelial cells displayed a marked disruption of cytoplasmic elements. The percentage of thymic lymphocytes bearing the T antigen was greatly reduced. It is believed that a factor responsible for differentiation of stem cells into T cells has been inhibited.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002642:Chick Embryo; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005865:Gestational Age; D011817:Rabbits / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000941:Antigens