Differentiation of T-cell precursors in nude mice demonstrated by immunofluorescence of T-cell membrane markers.
When the thymus from an AKR mouse (TL(-), theta-AKR) is grafted to a BALB/c-nu/nu mouse (TL2, theta-C3H), the grafted thymus is rapidly repopulated by host lymphocytes, i.e., lymphocytes having the TL2 and theta-C3H T-lymphocyte membrane antigen markers. theta-C3H lymphocytes also appear rapidly in the spleen and lymph nodes. After a few weeks, BALB/c nude mice grafted with AKR thymus and normal BALB/c mice could not be distinguished on the basis of the number of TL-positive thymocytes or theta-C3H-positive lymphocytes in thymus, spleen, or lymph nodes. These experiments give a definitive proof of the existence of precursor cells for the T compartment of the lymphoid system in the nude mouse. They strongly suggest the involvement of host-derived T cells in the recovery of some T-cell functions by nude mice grafted with allogeneic thymuses.
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001666:Binding Sites, Antibody; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D051379:Mice; D008806:Mice, Inbred AKR; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology* / Q000637:transplantation; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D000941:Antigens