thesis
Stromal cells in the mouse thymus : an immunocytochemical characterization of the thymic microenvironment
- Publication date
- 11 September 1985
- Publisher
- This thesis deals with the differentiation and maturation ofT (thymusderived)
lymphocytes. The development of mature immunocompetent T lymphocytes
requires 3 steps. Firstly, HSC differentiate to prothymocytes, precursors
committed to the T cell lineage. These cells leave the BM and settle in the
thymus. Secondly, upon entry into the thymus, these prothymocytes proliferate
and give rise to a population of immature thymocytes (thymic lymphocytes).
Thirdly, thymocytes differentiate into mature T eel ls that emigrate from
the thymus to peripheral lymphoid organs. After activation by antigen these
mature T ~ells function as effector eel ls in the cellular immune response,
and as regulatory cells in both the humoral and the cellular immune response
(Cantor and Weissman, 1976; Stutman, 1978). This thesis deals mainly with
intrathymic events in T eel l differentiation. A summary of current knowledge
ofT eel 1 differentiation is given in Chapter 2.