Development of CD4+ macrophages from intrathymic T cell progenitors is induced by thymic epithelial cells.
J Immunol
; 173(7): 4360-7, 2004 Oct 01.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-15383565
ABSTRACT
It was recently demonstrated that there are CD4(+) macrophages, which exhibit strong phagocytic activity, in the thymus. They are suggested to play an important role for the elimination of apoptotic thymocytes. However, the origin and nature of CD4(+) macrophages in the thymus remain unexplored. In this study, we describe that the most immature intrathymic progenitors (CD25(-)/CD44(+)/FcR(+)) give rise to CD4(+) macrophages by oncostatin M-responsive thymic epithelial cells (ORTEC) in an IL-7-dependent manner. Neither conditioned medium of ORTEC nor a mixture of cytokines induced CD4(+) macrophages, and oncostatin M receptor was not expressed in thymocytes, suggesting that the development of CD4(+) macrophages from the immature thymocytes requires a direct interaction with ORTEC. These results collectively suggest that the development of CD4(+) macrophages from the intrathymic T cell progenitors is induced by thymic epithelial cells.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Stem Cells
/
Thymus Gland
/
CD4 Antigens
/
Epithelial Cells
/
Macrophages
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
J Immunol
Year:
2004
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Japan