Expression of pTalpha mRNA in a committed dendritic cell precursor in the human thymus.
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.
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Division of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Huis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Couwenberg
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Vyth-Dreese
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Spits
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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*
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