Phenotype and distribution of T lymphocytes in Peyer's patches of athymic mice.
The distribution and phenotype of T (Thy-1.2+) cells was examined in Peyer's patches of 8 and 16 week old athymic mice by peroxidase and two-color-fluorescence immunohistochemistry. Despite the generally recognized T cell deficiency of nude mice, some T cells consistently occurred in Peyer's patch domes in all mice. However, many Thy-1.2+ lymphocytes lacked cell surface markers for either helper T cells (L3T4) or cytotoxic/suppressor T cells (Lyt-2), indicating that these cells may be an immature subset of T cells. These cells may represent a population of resident T cell precursors delayed in maturation or T cells newly immigrated to Peyer's patches.
Ermak
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TH
Cell Biology and Aging Section, VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA 94121.
Owen
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RL
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D010581:Peyer's Patches / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D010641:Phenotype; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface