Normal thymic cortical epithelial cells developmentally regulate the expression of a B-lineage transformation-associated antigen |
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Authors: | Becky Adkins George F Tidmarsh Irving L Weissman |
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Institution: | (1) Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 94305 Stanford, CA, USA |
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Abstract: | Nonlymphoid, stromal cells in the mouse thymus are believed to be important in T cell maturation and have been proposed to play a central role in the acquisition of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction and self-tolerance by maturing thymocytes. Both cortical and medullary epithelial cells in the thymus express high levels of class II (A) major histocompatibility antigens (MHC Ags). We show here that a specific subset of these A– epithelial cells express a transformation-associated antigen (6C3Ag) found previously on the surfaces of Abelson murine leukemia virus-transformed pre-B cells and on those bone marrow-derived stromal cell clones which support normal and preneoplastic pre-B cell proliferation. Among solid lymphoid organs, only the thymus contains 6C3Ag1 cells and within the thymus, this antigen is found exclusively on A– epithelial cells in cortical regions. It is striking that the expression of the 6C3Ag on thymic epithelium is developmentally regulated, suggesting a role for this lymphostromal antigen in the maturation of the thymic microenvironment. |
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