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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Examination of Thymic Positive and Negative Selection by Flow Cytometry
Published on: October 8, 2012
Characterization of thymosin-responsive peripheral blood null cells
Suspensions of human peripheral blood lymphocytes were enriched for E rosette-negative (E-) surface immunoglobulin-negative (SIg-) "null" cells expressing either human T or human B lymphocyte antigens. These enriched suspensions were then tested for responsiveness to activation of E rosette formation by thymosin. Thymosin activated some human T lymphocyte antigen-positive E-SIg- but not human B lymphocyte antigen-positive E-SIg- cells to form E rosettes. Therefore, thymosin-responsive peripheral blood null cells appear to be precommitted to the T- cell line of differentiation.
Suspensions of human peripheral blood lymphocytes were enriched for E rosette-negative (E-) surface immunoglobulin-negative (SIg-) "null" cells expressing either human T or human B lymphocyte antigens. These enriched suspensions were then tested for responsiveness to activation of E rosette formation by thymosin. Thymosin activated some human T lymphocyte antigen-positive E-SIg- but not human B lymphocyte antigen-positive E-SIg- cells to form E rosettes. Therefore, thymosin-responsive peripheral blood null cells appear to be precommitted to the T- cell line of differentiation.
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