Traffic of mature lymphocytes into the mouse thymus.
The thymus is not generally considered to participate in bi-directional peripheral lymphocyte recirculation. We have demonstrated the entry of peripheral lymph node T cells using transfers between Thy-1 congenic mice. These peripheral T cells that enter the thymus bear an essentially medullary (or peripheral) phenotype and on section stains are confined to the medulla where they constitute 0.2-0.3% of the cells. These cells are remarkable for their frequent expression of the peripheral node homing receptor MEL-14 and for their persistence. Using transferred fluorescent labeled cells we also identify the entry of peripheral B cells into the thymus. Possible roles for peripheral B and T cells in the thymus include participation in thymocyte maturation or selection, the generation of thymic pathology and reactions to thymic pathologic processes.
Michie
S A
SA
Department of Pathology, Stanford University, CA 94305.
Rouse
R V
RV
D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D010641:Phenotype; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology*
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens