Activity of ecto-ATPase in different populations of mouse and rat lymphocytes

Mouse and rat lymphocytes showed different activities of ecto-ATPase in dependence on animal species and cell population. Compared with the total thymocyte population glucocorticoid resistant thymocytes exhibited a higher ecto-ATPase activity. The activity of ecto-ATPase was lower in immature mouse thymocytes separated by agglutination with peanut agglutinin than in mature thymocytes. T-lymphocytes of rat mesenteric lymph nodes and glucocorticoid resistant thymocytes showed the same ecto-ATPase activity. These findings indicate that the ecto-ATPase activity in mouse and rat thymocytes is related to the maturation of the cells.