In vitro studies on the ontogeny of lymphocyte populations

We have investigated the ontogency of lymphocyte populations in the mouse embryo using organ culture techniques. Our results indicate that B lymphocytes are generated independently in foetal liver, foetal spleen and foetal bone marrow, while T lymphocytes are generated in thymus. We have characterised the structural and functional properties of developing lymphocytes in the organs. Our results suggest that foetal lymphocytes may differ from adult lymphocytes in a number of important respects which may have a bearing on the generation of tolerance to self antigens.