Concanavalin A-induced electrokinetic changes and redistribution of receptors in mouse thymocytes.
Thymocytes are known to consist of mature and immature cells. The assessment of Con A-induced changes in electrophoretic mobilities (EPM) and receptor redistribution in thymocytes of AKR mice revealed two distinct sub-populations of cells. Sub-population A showed receptor redistribution and increase in EPM at low concentrations of Con A (5 micrograms/ml). Majority of these cells showed two sets of sequentially reacting receptor sites for the lectin. Cells belonging to sub-population B, in contrast, required higher concentrations (15-25 micrograms/ml) of Con A for the redistribution of receptors. Second set of receptors, reacting with Con A after the redistribution of the first set, could not be detected on these cells. High concentrations of Con A inhibited receptor mobility on all the thymocytes. The receptor redistributional profile of cells in the sub-population A was similar to that of mature splenic T-cells while cells in sub-population B resembled the immature leukaemic cells in this respect. These investigations provide an additional parameter to study cellular heterogeneity in thymus.
D000818:Animals; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004586:Electrophoresis; D005260:Female; D007152:Immunologic Capping; D008297:Male; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D008766:Methylmannosides / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D011952:Receptors, Concanavalin A / Q000502:physiology*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology
D008766:Methylmannosides; D011952:Receptors, Concanavalin A; D003208:Concanavalin A; C008466:methylmannoside