title: The ontogeny of T lymphocytes.
abstract: We have provided a speculative overview of some of the questions concerning the nature of thymic stem cells and the role of the thymus in their maturation, and have suggested experimental approaches which might provide solutions to some of the questions. Throughout, we have stressed the complexity of the cellular constitution of the thymus and have suggested roles for particular cell types which seem plausible based on present evidence.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002465:Cell Movement; D002678:Chimera; D005260:Female; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D011247:Pregnancy; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell