title: An investigation of T cell receptor gene rearrangement and expression in organ cultures of normal embryonic thymus and Thy-1+ cells of nude mice.
abstract: We have shown that beginning with 14-day mouse embryo thymus, rearrangements of T cell receptor beta-chain genes and transcripts of alpha and beta chains culminating in the generation of T cell receptor-bearing cells can be obtained in organ cultures. We have failed to detect rearranged beta chain genes, and beta chain transcripts or membrane receptors in concanavalin A-activated nude spleen cells, although we cannot exclude the possibility that a minor subpopulation of nude Thy-1+ cells may express T cell receptors. Our results suggest that the thymus is both necessary and sufficient for generation of T cell receptor-bearing cells and that organ culture provides a system for further investigation of the mechanisms involved.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Jenkinson
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kingston
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Owen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005796:Genes; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C / Q000196:embryology / Q000276:immunology; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA / Q000196:embryology / Q000276:immunology; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens; D003208:Concanavalin A