A Lymphostromal Molecule, Thymic Shared Ag-1, Regulates Early Thymocyte Development in Fetal Thymus Organ Culture

Elise Randle-Barrett, Gary A. Waanders, Marilina Masciantonio, Dale I. Godfrey, Richard L. Boyd

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Abstract

Previously, we detailed the characterization of thymic shared Ag-1, a unique marker of immature thymocytes and isolated thymic stromal cells, defined by the mAb MTS 35. In this study, the functional relevance of this molecule to thymopoiesis was investigated by the addition of purified MTS 35 to fetal thymus organ culture. It down-regulated thymic shared Ag-1 expression and dramatically reduced thymocyte cell yield through inhibition of αβ-TcR+ T cell differentiation, post CD3-CD4-CD8- triple negative thymocytes. These effects were specific for the mAb MTS 35, because controls, which include both isotype-matched and other lymphostromal mAb, showed no similar effects. These results demonstrate that thymic shared Ag-1 is a functionally important marker of early thymocyte differentiation, particularly with regard to the αβ-TcR lineage.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6027-6035
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume151
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 1993

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