title: Growth of single T cells and single thymocytes in a high cloning efficiency filler-cell free microculture system.
abstract: A high cloning-efficiency microculture system is described in which single T cells, stimulated to divide by phorbol ester and calcium ionophore, grow rapidly under the influence of purified growth factors in the absence of other cells. The kinetics of clonal growth has been monitored over a five day period by phase-contrast microscopy. Mature peripheral T cells, and mature subpopulations from the thymus, responded with a cloning efficiency over 80%; they required IL-2 as a minimum but several other factors enhanced growth. Ly2+L3T4- thymocytes (mean doubling time 10.4 hr) grew more rapidly than Ly2-L3T4+ thymocytes (mean doubling time 15.2 hr). Early (Ly2-L3T4-) thymocytes responded with a cloning efficiency of 60%; their efficient growth was dependent on both IL-1 and IL-2. The typical Ly2+L3T4+ cortical thymocyte did not grow under these conditions.
authors.affiliation: Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ewing
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scollay
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shortman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D003470:Culture Media; D046508:Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004987:Ethers / Q000494:pharmacology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology; D015759:Ionomycin; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D008819:Mice, Nude; D010641:Phenotype; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology*; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D003470:Culture Media; D004987:Ethers; D006133:Growth Substances; D008222:Lymphokines; D015759:Ionomycin; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate