The ontogeny of antigen-presenting cells in fetal thymus evaluated by MLR stimulation.
This study demonstrates that cells with the characteristics of antigen-presenting cells (APC) are present in murine thymus from as early as 14 days gestation, around the time that T lymphopoiesis is initiated in the embryo. Thymic APC were identified as la+ adherent cells capable of presenting alloantigens to T cells in MLC. The possible role of these cells in thymocyte differentiation is discussed.
D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002469:Cell Separation; D005260:Female; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D011247:Pregnancy; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000276:immunology*
D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II