A cd3− subset of cd4−8+ thymocytes: a rapidly cycling intermediate in the generation of cd4+8+ cells
HR MacDonald, RC Budd… - European journal of …, 1988 - Wiley Online Library
HR MacDonald, RC Budd, RC Howe
European journal of immunology, 1988•Wiley Online LibraryT lymphocytes with the surface phenotype CD4+ 8− and CD4− 8+ are considered to be
representative of functionally mature cells. We show here that adult murine thymus contains
a subpopulation of CD4‐8+ cells that differ from CD4− 8+ cells found d the periphery in that
they do not express the T cell receptor‐associated CD3 molecular complex. Such CD3− 4−
8+ thymocytes are cortisone sensitive and rapidly cycling in situ. Furthermore, in contrast to
mature T cells, most CD3− 4− 8+ thymocytes express low levels of CD5 and high levels of …
representative of functionally mature cells. We show here that adult murine thymus contains
a subpopulation of CD4‐8+ cells that differ from CD4− 8+ cells found d the periphery in that
they do not express the T cell receptor‐associated CD3 molecular complex. Such CD3− 4−
8+ thymocytes are cortisone sensitive and rapidly cycling in situ. Furthermore, in contrast to
mature T cells, most CD3− 4− 8+ thymocytes express low levels of CD5 and high levels of …
Abstract
T lymphocytes with the surface phenotype CD4+8− and CD4−8+ are considered to be representative of functionally mature cells. We show here that adult murine thymus contains a subpopulation of CD4‐8+ cells that differ from CD4−8+ cells found d the periphery in that they do not express the T cell receptor‐associated CD3 molecular complex. Such CD3−4−8+ thymocytes are cortisone sensitive and rapidly cycling in situ. Furthermore, in contrast to mature T cells, most CD3−4−8+ thymocytes express low levels of CD5 and high levels of the B2A2 antigen. CD3−4−8+ thymocytes fail to respond to a variety of mitogenic stimuli in vitro but do give rise upon short‐term culture to CD4+8+ cells. It is suggested that CD3−4−8+ thymocytes represent a transitional stage of thymus differentiation between the CD4−8− and CD4+8+ compartments.
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