Developmentally controlled expression of IL 2 receptors and of sensitivity to IL 2 in a subset of embryonic thymocytes.
At various times of gestation murine fetal thymocytes were tested for IL 2 receptor (IL 2-R) and T cell differentiation antigen expression. The majority of 14 to 15 day fetal thymocytes were IL 2-R and Thy-1 antigen positive, yet negative for the Lyt and L3T4 marker. A subset of IL 2-R-positive fetal thymocytes could be induced by recombinant IL 2 to proliferate over at least 10 days. Growth of these proliferating cells could not be enhanced by syngeneic feeder cells nor suppressed by monoclonal anti-I-A or anti-I-E antibodies. No antigen-specific effector functions could be induced in the proliferating Thy-1, IL 2-R-positive cells. As a whole, the results suggest a developmentally controlled rather than antigen-induced expression of IL 2-R during embryogenesis of thymocytes.
D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D005260:Female; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010641:Phenotype; D011247:Pregnancy; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000032:analysis*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2