Clonal Characterization of a Bipotent T Cell and NK Cell Progenitor in the Mouse Fetal Thymus

Abstract

We recently described a population of fetal thymocytes with a CD117+NK1.1+CD90lowCD25− phenotype, which were shown to contain committed T cell and NK cell progenitors. However, the characterization of a single cell with a restricted T and NK cell precursor potential was lacking. Here, using an in vitro model for T and NK cell differentiation, we provide conclusive evidence demonstrating the existence of a clonal lineage-restricted T and NK cell progenitor. These results establish that fetal thymocytes with a CD117+NK1.1+CD90lowCD25− phenotype represent bipotent T and NK cell progenitors.