Thymocytes appear to ignore class I major histocompatibility complex antigens expressed on thymus epithelial cells.
BALB/c nu/nu mice were grafted with embryonic 14-day-old C57BL/6 thymi which were transplanted either nontreated or after elimination of hemopoietic cells with 2-deoxyguanosine. In both types of grafts host cells developed normally into functional thymocytes. Thymocytes from 2-deoxyguanosine-treated but not from untreated grafts contained as many cytolytic T lymphocyte precursors specific for class I MHC antigens on thymus epithelium as normal BALB/c thymocytes. As cytolytic T lymphocyte precursors were neither suppressed nor activated in these grafts it is concluded that thymocytes ignore class I MHC antigens expressed on thymus epithelium.
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology / Q000637:transplantation
D006183:H-2 Antigens