Expansion of large granular lymphocytes in IL-2-driven 14-day-old fetal thymocytes in organ culture

J Immunol. 1990 May 15;144(10):3710-7.

Abstract

These experiments were designed to evaluate the role of cytokines in early T cell development within the thymus. By using a thymic organ culture model, we have studied the influence of high dose of IL-2 (10 to 1000 IU/ml) on the cell populations that are generated during 12 days starting from a thymic rudiment of 14-day-old mouse embryo. The IL-2 treatment resulted in the expansion of Thy-1+/-, CD4-, CD8-, CD3-, Fc gamma RII+, CD5 (Lyt-1)-, HSA-, Pgp- 1+, Mel-14- population. These cells had the morphology of large granular lymphocytes and displayed broad cytotoxic activity. In addition, IL-2-treated organ cultures had a dramatic decrease in CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, a marked reduction in TCR-alpha beta+ thymocytes--even more pronounced in the TCR-V beta 6+ and TCR-V beta 8+ thymocytes--and no significant changes in the number of TCR-gamma delta+ as compared to control organ cultures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD*
  • Antigens, Differentiation / analysis
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / analysis
  • Antigens, Ly / analysis
  • Antigens, Surface / analysis
  • CD3 Complex
  • CD4 Antigens / analysis
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Interleukin-2 / pharmacology*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Organ Culture Techniques
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / analysis
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / classification
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism
  • Receptors, Fc / analysis
  • Receptors, IgG
  • Tetraspanin 29
  • Thy-1 Antigens
  • Thymus Gland / cytology*
  • Thymus Gland / embryology
  • Thymus Gland / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte
  • Antigens, Ly
  • Antigens, Surface
  • CD3 Complex
  • CD4 Antigens
  • Cd9 protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-2
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Receptors, Fc
  • Receptors, IgG
  • Tetraspanin 29
  • Thy-1 Antigens