title: Expression of pTalpha mRNA in a committed dendritic cell precursor in the human thymus.
abstract: We have characterized dendritic cell precursors (pre-DC) in the human thymus. These CD1a(-)CD3(-)CD4(+)CD8(-) cells express high levels of interleukin-3Ralpha (IL-3Ralpha) on the membrane and are able to develop into mature DC upon culture with IL-3 and CD40 ligation. The DC precursors are predominantly located in the thymic medulla. Interestingly, the pre-DC express pTalpha mRNA, which is also present in CD1a(+)CD3(-)CD4(+)CD8(-) pre-T cells. Yet, the pre-DC lack expression of recombination activating gene-1 mRNA and fail to develop into T cells in appropriate assays. The thymic pre-DC are very similar to the recently characterized pre-DC found in the T cell areas of the tonsil, and it is suggested that these pre-DC populations are of lymphoid origin.
authors.affiliation: Division of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Huis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Res
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Couwenberg
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Vyth-Dreese
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Spits
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D023201:CD40 Ligand; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D019070:Cell Lineage; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000166:cytology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009928:Organ Specificity; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000166:cytology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D007377:Interleukin-3; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; C090377:pre-T cell receptor alpha; C064658:RAG-1 protein; D023201:CD40 Ligand