[en] Isolated thymic nurse cells (TNC) represent a specialized microenvironment in vivo where thymocytes interact specifically with subcapsular epithelial cells. They are thought to play a critical role in the process of T cell differentiation. We demonstrate that recombinant murine interferon-gamma and recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha can act on these interactions: they stimulate TNC-derived epithelial cells to establish interactions with thymocytes in vitro and to form new lymphoepithelial complexes. This phenomenon is partially inhibited by anti-Ia monoclonal antibodies. Implications of these findings for normal intrathymic differentiation are discussed.
Defresne M.P., Goffinet G., Boniver J. Tissue Cell 1986, 18:321.
Van Ewijk W. Lab. Invest. 1988, 59:579.
Kyewski B.A. Immunol. Today 1986, 7:374.
Boyd R.L., Oberhuber G., Hala K., Wick G. J. Immunol. 1984, 132:718.
Kyewski B.A., Hunsmann G., Friedrich R., Ketelsen U.P., Wekerle H. Haematol. Bluttransfus. 1981, 26:372.
Houben‐Defresne M.P., Boniver J. Leukemia Res. 1983, 7:275.
Defresne M.P., Greimers R., Lenaerts P., Boniver J. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 1986, 77:1079.
Defresne M.P., Rongy A.M., Greimers R., Boniver J. Leukemia Res. 1986, 10:783.
Kaplan H.S., Brown M.B., Paull J. (1953) Influence of bone-marrow injections on involution and neoplasia of mouse thymus after systemic irradiation. J Natl Cancer Inst 14:303.
