title: Identification of thymocyte precursors in murine fetal liver.
abstract: We have isolated thymic stem cells from murine fetal liver using a combination of approaches including discontinuous albumin density gradient separation and anti-heat-stable antigen (HSA) antibody plus complement-mediated lysis. A population of early precursors has been identified which comprises approximately 1% of fetal liver, and which has the capacity to reconstitute alymphoid lobes and give rise to the four thymic subpopulations defined by expression of the T cell differentiation antigens CD4 and CD8. These early precursors express CD44 (Pgp-1), however, they are negative for expression of Thy-1, CD4, CD8, CD3, membrane immunoglobulin and HSA cell surface molecules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University College, London, Great Britain.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zamoyska
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis*; D051927:CD24 Antigen; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D002469:Cell Separation; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D006410:Hematopoiesis; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D008099:Liver / Q000196:embryology*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D051379:Mice; D008806:Mice, Inbred AKR; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / Q000032:analysis; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D051927:CD24 Antigen; D015704:CD4 Antigens; C497890:Cd24a protein, mouse; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing