Abstract
We investigated the phenotypic changes accompanying maturation of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes in the presence of thymic stomal cells in vitro. Many of the features that are characteristic of positive selection in vivo, such as an ordered down-regulation of CD4 or CD8 together with up-regulation of the TCR-alpha beta complex, also occurred in vitro. Transient expression of CD69 was also observed, together with activation of IL-2 and IL-4 cytokine genes, providing further evidence that positive selection in vitro involves a pattern of gene regulation comparable to that seen in vivo.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Animals, Newborn
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Antigens, CD / metabolism
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Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / metabolism
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
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CD8 Antigens / analysis
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Cell Differentiation
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Cytokines / genetics
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Gene Expression
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Lectins, C-Type
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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RNA, Messenger / genetics
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / metabolism
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology*
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Thymus Gland / cytology*
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Thymus Gland / embryology
Substances
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Antigens, CD
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Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte
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CD69 antigen
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CD8 Antigens
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Cytokines
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Lectins, C-Type
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RNA, Messenger
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta