The role of mesenchyme in thymus development.
We have reviewed the evidence that thymic mesenchymal cells and their progeny thymic fibroblasts play an important role in early T-cell development. Although it is possible that mesenchyme plays an inductive role in thymic epithelial morphogenesis, we have presented evidence to suggest that there is a direct effect of mesenchyme and fibroblasts on T-cell development. Moreover the association of these cell types with an ECM raises the possibility that the latter might be important in integrin and/or cytokine presentation especially during the CD4(-)8- phase of T-cell development.
Owen
J J
JJ
Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK.
McLoughlin
D E
DE
Suniara
R K
RK
Jenkinson
E J
EJ
D002450:Cell Communication; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000196:embryology*