Thymus colonization in the developing mouse embryo.
We have directly followed the formation of and the thymus colonization by pro-T lymphocytes in the developing C57BL/6 mouse embryo by using the monoclonal antibody JORO 37-5 specific for pro-T lymphocytes, immunofluorescence staining and flow fluorocytometry or microscopy analysis. The results show that JORO 37-5+ cells begin to appear in the liver at day 9 of gestation. These JORO 37-5+ cells migrate to and colonize the thymus 1 day later, where they expand vigorously during the next 4-5 days and, subsequently, switch off expression of JORO 37-5 as they further differentiate into mature thymocytes.
Palacios
R
R
Basel Institute for Immunology, Switzerland.
Samaridis
J
J
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D008099:Liver / Q000196:embryology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000196:embryology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte