title: The role of purine metabolic enzymes and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase in intrathymic T-cell differentiation.
abstract: Most cortical thymocytes die within the thymus. It is proposed here that lethally high intracellular levels of deoxynucleosides are the cause of death. Developing thymocytes appropriately equipped for self-recognition are protected because contact with stromal cells prevents the lethal accumulation of deoxynucleosides.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Haematology and Immunology, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sylwestrowicz
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Janossy
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Hoffbrand