Thymic dendritic cells and T cells develop simultaneously in the thymus from a common precursor population (original) (raw)

Nature volume 362, pages 761–763 (1993)Cite this article

Abstract

DENDRITIC cells, a minor cell population in lymphoid tissues, are specialized for presentation of antigenic peptides to T lymphocytes1. Thymic dendritic cells are involved in the deletion of self-reactive T lymphocytes2,3. Although all dendritic cells are ultimately of bone-marrow origin4–7, it has not been clear whether thymic dendritic cells are produced in the adult thymus from a precursor cell or whether they migrate there preformed from the periphery. Recently we isolated from adult mouse thymus a population of early T precursors that could still form B lymphocytes, but not erythroid or myeloid cells, when transferred intravenously8,9. Here we show that these thymic lymphoid precursor cells, as well as bone-marrow haematopoietic stem cells, are able to form both dendritic cells and T-cell progeny when transferred into an irradiated thymus. Such linked development may ensure that developing T cells are negatively selected predominantly by self antigens presented on newly formed thymic dendritic cells.

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Author notes

  1. Carlos Ardavin
    Present address: Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, 28040, Madrid, Spain
  2. Ken Shortman: To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, PO Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, 3050, Australia
    Carlos Ardavin, Li Wu, Chung-Leung Li & Ken Shortman

Authors

  1. Carlos Ardavin
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  2. Li Wu
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  3. Chung-Leung Li
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  4. Ken Shortman
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Ardavin, C., Wu, L., Li, CL. et al. Thymic dendritic cells and T cells develop simultaneously in the thymus from a common precursor population.Nature 362, 761–763 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1038/362761a0

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