title: The T-lymphocyte colony-forming cell (T-CFC): in vitro studies of progenitors and progeny.
abstract: The lineage of T-lymphocyte colony-forming cells (T-CFC) and the phenotype of the progeny of T-CFC have not yet been well-defined. To characterize the progenitor cells and progeny of the T-CFC, we separated normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes into enriched lymphocyte subpopulations, stimulated with various mitogens and cultured in a semisolid agar system. After 5 days, the number of colonies was counted, and the presence of CD4+ and CD8+ cells was determined in situ with FITC-conjugated monoclonal antibodies. Plating of B cells provided the lowest, T cells an intermediate and null cells the highest number of T-cell colonies (P less than 0.05). CD4+ and CD8+ cells produced equivalent numbers of T-cell colonies. T-cell colonies consisted of either CD4+ or CD8+ cells; mixed-cell colonies were rarely present. Plating of CD4+ or CD8+ cells produced both CD4+ and CD8+ colonies. We conclude that T-CFC exist in the CD4+, CD8+ and null-cell populations. In addition, T-CFC give rise to T-cell colonies possessing either CD4+ or CD8+ determinants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, SUNY Health Science Center, Syracuse 13210.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Tice
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Davey
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008215:Lymphocytes, Null / Q000276:immunology; D008938:Mitosis; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000032:analysis; D012397:Rosette Formation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell