Phenotypic and ultrastructural characterization of an epithelial cell line established from rat thymic cultures.
An epithelial cell line (TE-R 2.5) was established from a long-term culture of rat thymic epithelium. Its epithelial nature was confirmed using anti-cytokeratin (CK) monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and electron-microscopy. TE-R 2.5 cells were reactive with K 8.13, K 8.12, CK 8, R-MC 18, R-MC 19 and Mar 3 mAb and bind Ulex europaeus agglutinin I. Based on the results of this study it was concluded that they possess the phenotype of subcapsular/perivascular or medullary epithelium. This was in accordance with Western blot analysis of water-insoluble cell extracts showing the presence of 56,000, 52,000, 50,000 and 48,000 MW CK polypeptides. In addition, TE-R 2.5 cell line coexpressed CK and vimentin (a 57,000 MW polypeptide) which was demonstrated using dual immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Electron microscopy demonstrated that TE-R 2.5 cells have all the characteristics of hypertrophic thymic epithelial cells (TEC) localized in situ exclusively in the medulla and thus further characterized this line as a type of medullary TEC. Finally, TE-4F10 mAb raised against an antigen of TE-R 2.5 cells selectively stained a subset of medullary TEC in situ including Hassall's corpuscles indicating again the medullary origin of this TEC line.
Colić
M
M
Institute of Medical Research, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
Gasić
S
S
Stojanović
N
N
Popović
L
L
Dujić
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002460:Cell Line; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins