title: A 60-kDa thymic epithelial cell surface protein as a potent molecule mediating the cellular interaction with immature T cells.
abstract: A unique 60-kDa surface protein expressed on the thymic epithelial cells was characterized as a potent molecule participating in the interaction between thymic stromal cells (TSC) and immature T cells. Previously, we reported an athymic mouse-derived T cell clone, N-9F, which proliferates on TSC. In the present study, we established a TSC clone, SL10.3, from a BALB/c mouse. SL10.3 has an epithelial cell nature and supports N-9F and fetal thymocytes growth in vitro. The two rat monoclonal antibodies, AS19 and AS32, directed to the SL10.3 cell surface inhibited N-9F and fetal thymocytes growth on SL10.3, suggesting that the reactive molecule may mediate the cellular interaction between TSC and immature T cells. Both antibodies are directed to the same 60-kDa protein with a pI point of 5.4, but to different epitopes on the protein. The 60-kDa protein is distributed on thymic epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and vascular endothelial cells, but not on the hematopoietic cells tested.
authors.affiliation: Division of Immunology, National Institute of Neuroscience, NCNP, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takeuchi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kuzuhara
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tamura
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hiramine
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hojo
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D002999:Clone Cells; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000737:chemistry; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008970:Molecular Weight; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D008565:Membrane Proteins