A cd3−subset of cd4−8+thymocytes: a rapidly cycling intermediate in the generation of cd4+8+cells

摘要

AbstractT lymphocytes with the surface phenotype CD4+8−and CD4−8+are considered to be representative of functionally mature cells. We show here that adult murine thymus contains a subpopulation of CD4‐8+cells that differ from CD4−8+cells found d the periphery in that they do not express the T cell receptor‐associated CD3 molecular complex. Such CD3−4−8+thymocytes are cortisone sensitive and rapidly cyclingin situ.Furthermore, in contrast to mature T cells, most CD3−4−8+thymocytes express low levels of CD5 and high levels of the B2A2 antigen. CD3−4−8+thymocytes fail to respond to a variety of mitogenic stimuliin vitrobut do give rise upon short‐term culture to CD4+8+cells. It is suggested that CD3−4−8+thymocytes represent a transitional stage of thymus differentiation between the C