Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 28, 2026

Isolation of Myeloid Dendritic Cells and Epithelial Cells from Human Thymus
Published on: September 19, 2013
Thymic epithelium tolerizes for histocompatibility antigens
J Salaün1, A Bandeira, I Khazaal
1Instit d'Embryologie cellulaire et moléculaire du CNRS, College de France, Nogent-sur-Marne.
The role of thymic epithelium in the establishment of tissue tolerance was analyzed with a murine chimeric system. All T cells differentiated from birth onward in a thymus comprising allogeneic epithelium and syngeneic hematopoietic cells. Embryonic thymic rudiments that contained no hematopoietic cells from C3H (H-2k) donors were grafted to newborn athymic (nude) BALB/c (H-2d) mice. Chimeras that had normal T cell numbers and function rejected third-party skin grafts, but permanently accepted grafts syngeneic to the thymic epithelium. In vitro functional assays did not always correlate with the state of tolerance in vivo. Thus, pure thymic epithelium induces tolerance to histocompatibility antigens.
The role of thymic epithelium in the establishment of tissue tolerance was analyzed with a murine chimeric system. All T cells differentiated from birth onward in a thymus comprising allogeneic epithelium and syngeneic hematopoietic cells. Embryonic thymic rudiments that contained no hematopoietic cells from C3H (H-2k) donors were grafted to newborn athymic (nude) BALB/c (H-2d) mice. Chimeras that had normal T cell numbers and function rejected third-party skin grafts, but permanently accepted grafts syngeneic to the thymic epithelium. In vitro functional assays did not always correlate with the state of tolerance in vivo. Thus, pure thymic epithelium induces tolerance to histocompatibility antigens.
Related Concept Videos
Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Special Features of Adaptive Immunity
The primary cell types involved in adaptive immunity are T cells and B cells. Each type has a unique role in defending the body against pathogens. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They identify and eliminate infected cells directly,...
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
Antigen Presenting Cells
T cells require the help of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which process foreign antigens into smaller fragments that can be recognized by T cells. These APCs are highly specialized cells that efficiently internalize antigens...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions

