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Isolation of Myeloid Dendritic Cells and Epithelial Cells from Human Thymus
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Neuropeptide-immunoreactive cells in human thymus

M Piantelli1, N Maggiano, L M Larocca

  • 1Istituti di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica S. Coure, Roma, Italy.

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
|September 1, 1990
PubMed

The outer cortex of the human thymus contains a one- to two-cell-thick layer that is immunoreactive with antisera against beta-endorphin, (Leu)- and (Met)-enkephalin, bombesin, and substance P. The epithelial nature of these immunostained cells is revealed by immunoelectron microscopic studies showing the presence of desmosomal junctions. The presence of peptide-containing cells in the outer cortex, where the most immature and recently immigrated thymocytes are found, emphasizes the role of neuropeptides in regulating the microenvironment for T cell development.

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