title: Characterization of human thymic epithelial cells grown in serum-free medium.
abstract: Thymic epithelial cells have a critical influence on T-cell differentiation. In order to characterize these cells in humans, a serum-free growth medium was developed for their long-term culture. Important components of this medium included transferrin, epidermal growth factor, prostaglandin E1, and selenious acid. The presence of a keratin cytoskeleton, tonofilaments, and desmosomes confirmed the epithelial nature of these cells. Indirect immunofluorescence study of these epithelial cells demonstrated the presence of Ia and B-2 microglobulin antigens. The availability of highly enriched thymic epithelial cultures should simplify the functional characterization of this cell.
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003896:Desmosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007633:Keratins / Q000276:immunology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D007633:Keratins