Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Isolation, Identification, and Purification of Murine Thymic Epithelial Cells
07:20

Isolation, Identification, and Purification of Murine Thymic Epithelial Cells

Published on: August 8, 2014

Thymus cell-cell interactions

Novica M Milićević1, Zivana Milićević

  • 1Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Beograd, YU-11000 Beograd, Serbia and Montenegro.

International Review of Cytology
|June 29, 2004
PubMed

The recent advances in molecular biology and genetics, as well as the progress of in vitro techniques, have provided a more coherent image of the thymic function on the molecular level. But they have shifted the attention away from studies on the cellular level, which are necessary to clarify the biological roles of different cell types of the thymic microenvironment. The structure and function of the normal thymus depend on mutual interactions between thymocytes and nonlymphocyte cells. In this review a detailed description of morphological and phenotypic features of both maturing thymocytes and nonlymphocyte cells is given. The recent genetic and biochemical data are presented in conjunction with cytological results to enlighten the thymus cell-cell interactions during thymopoiesis and organization of thymic microstructure. Special emphasis is put on the experimental approaches, which may be used to study the interactions between thymocytes and nonlymphocyte cells in vivo.

More Related Videos

Formation of Human Thymus Organoids in Three-Dimensional Fibrin Hydrogels03:31

Formation of Human Thymus Organoids in Three-Dimensional Fibrin Hydrogels

Published on: October 4, 2024

Preparation of Single-Cell Suspension of Mouse Thymic Epithelial Cells and Staining of Intracellular Molecules for Flow Cytometric Analysis09:41

Preparation of Single-Cell Suspension of Mouse Thymic Epithelial Cells and Staining of Intracellular Molecules for Flow Cytometric Analysis

Published on: July 26, 2024

Related Concept Videos

T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Primary Lymphoid Organs01:16

Primary Lymphoid Organs

Primary lymphoid organs are pivotal in the formation, development, and maturation of lymphocytes, the white blood cells that serve as the backbone of our immune system. This crucial function underscores their fundamental role in maintaining our overall health and immunity. The two primary lymphoid organs of prime importance are the red bone marrow and the thymus.
The red bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue nestled in the interior of long bones such as the humerus and femur. It is the site...
Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Overview
Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions01:20

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily  involved in a...
Lymphoid Cells and Tissues01:18

Lymphoid Cells and Tissues

Lymphoid cells and tissues are integral to the immune system, which is crucial in maintaining our body's defense against harmful pathogens. They form the building blocks of lymphoid organs, which include the spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes.
Lymphoid cells consist of various types of immune system cells. These include B and T lymphocytes, which are responsible for producing antibodies and killing infected cells, respectively. Dendritic cells act as messengers between the innate and adaptive...