title: A CD3- subset of CD4-8+ thymocytes: a rapidly cycling intermediate in the generation of CD4+8+ cells.
abstract: T lymphocytes with the surface phenotype CD4+8- and CD4-8+ are considered to be representative of functionally mature cells. We show here that adult murine thymus contains a subpopulation of CD4-8+ cells that differ from CD4-8+ cells found in the periphery in that they do not express the T cell receptor-associated CD3 molecular complex. Such CD3-4-8+ thymocytes are cortisone sensitive and rapidly cycling in situ. Furthermore, in contrast to mature T cells, most CD3-4-8+ thymocytes express low levels of CD5 and high levels of the B2A2 antigen. CD3-4-8+ thymocytes fail to respond to a variety of mitogenic stimuli in vitro but do give rise upon short-term culture to CD4+8+ cells. It is suggested that CD3-4-8+ thymocytes represent a transitional stage of thymus differentiation between the CD4-8- and CD4+8+ compartments.
authors.affiliation: Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, Epalinges, Switzerland.
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Budd
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Howe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis*; D017252:CD3 Complex; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003348:Cortisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004987:Ethers / Q000494:pharmacology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D015759:Ionomycin; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D004987:Ethers; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D015759:Ionomycin; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; D003348:Cortisone