Differentiation of thymus cells

Abstract

Sedimentation, scatter, and fluorescence (with fluoresceinated anti Thy 1.2) analysis of BALB/c thymocytes reveals several distinctive subclasses: dead (or fragile) cells; small cells with intermediate Thy 1.2 fluorescence; a broad peak of large cells which exhibit very bright Thy 1.2 fluorescence; and midsize cells with low, but above background Thy 1.2 fluorescence. Labeling of thymus outer cortical DNA synthetic cells by topical application of [3H]TdR in situ initially labels only subclass 3 of these cells. These large bright cells serve as progenitors for all the 3 of the other subclasses during the 1-3 days following initial labeling.