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The thymic microenvironment involves complex cell interactions among different types of epithelial cells, macrophages, tissue histiocytes, and immature and maturing T cells. We describe the isolation of a subset of thymic epithelial cells by selective primary culture followed by cotransfection with a simian virus 40 replication-origin-defective mutant and pSV2neo plasmid. The cloned cells have the composite immunophenotype that is unique to thymic subcapsular epithelial cells, suggesting that they may provide a model system in vitro for analyzing the earliest steps in T-cell differentiation. This possibility is supported by the finding that these epithelial cells express LFA-3-associated binding sites for T cells, secrete a macrophage hemopoietic growth factor, and synergize with macrophages in the production of interleukin 1.

Original publication

DOI

10.1073/pnas.84.14.4999

Type

Journal article

Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Publication Date

07/1987

Volume

84

Pages

4999 - 5003

Keywords

Epithelium, Thymus Gland, T-Lymphocytes, Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Clone Cells, Macrophages, Epithelial Cells, Humans, Colony-Stimulating Factors, Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1, Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte, Interleukin-1, Antigens, Surface, Cell Differentiation