The human thymus microenvironment: heterogeneity detected by monoclonal anti-epithelial cell antibodies.
Monoclonal antibodies were raised against human thymus stromal cells and their specificity for the epithelial component of thymus stroma assessed by double immunofluorescence using anti-keratin antibodies to identify epithelium. Our monoclonal antibodies identify six distinct patterns of epithelial cell antigen expression within the thymus: pan epithelial (antibody IP1); cortex (MR3 and MR6); cortical/medullary junction (IP2); subcapsule and subpopulation of medulla (MR10/MR14); Hassall's corpuscles and adjacent subpopulation of medulla (IP3); Hassall's corpuscles only (MR13/IP4). This heterogeneity of antigen expression suggests that many different epithelial microenvironments exist within the human thymus.
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000941:Antigens; D007136:Immunoglobulins