[Analysis of cellular bases of secondary thymic atrophy in irradiated mice by flow cytometry]

Using flow cytometry we looked for a thymocyte subpopulation responsible for the development of thymus urgent recovery and secondary atrophy in sublethally irradiated mice (4 Gy). It was expected that the number of these cells would grow before the urgent recovery peak and would drop during secondary atrophy. It was found out that DN3 thymocytes were the best for these criteria. The DN3 stage of thymocytes development is characterized by the rearrangement of the major portion of T-cell receptor genes. On the basis of this finding we have discussed the possibility of secondary atrophy correction using IL-7.