[Ultrastructure and antigens in differentiation of thymus lymphocytes in human embryogenesis]

Thymus lymphocytes of 7--8-week human embryos have nuclei of irregular form with 1--3 distinct nucleoli characterized by absence of compact chromatin or heterchromatin. The electron-dense cytoplasm of these cells contains polysomes and an insignificant number of mitochondria. No receptors to sheep red blood cells and T antigen are revealed on their surface. In 11--12-week human embryos one can observe a decrease in the size of thymus lymphocytes, appearance of heterochromatin in their nuclei and receptors to sheep red blood cells (79%), and T antigen (60%) on the cell surface. Subsequently the quantity of compact chromatin in thymus lymphoid cells increases, and the cells acquire definitive properties and structure.