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Ultrastructural study of spontaneous bone marrow rosette-forming cells
The Journal of Cell Biology
|March 1, 1977
Summary
Mouse bone marrow contains rosette-forming cells (RFC) that are T-cell precursors. These cells are small, quiescent lymphocytes targeted by thymic hormone, suggesting a role in T-cell development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Hematology
Background:
- Mouse bone marrow harbors spontaneous rosette-forming cells (RFC).
- These RFC are identified as potential T-cell precursors.
- Previous studies have not fully characterized the nature of these cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the cellular composition of spontaneous RFC in mouse bone marrow.
- To investigate the interaction of RFC with thymic hormone.
- To characterize the morphology and activity state of RFC.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and incubation of mouse bone marrow cells.
- Assessment of RFC transformation into theta-positive cells after thymic hormone treatment.
- Electron and scanning electron microscopy of RFC.
- Macrophage elimination via cell preincubation.
Main Results:
- Spontaneous RFC constitute over 70% T-cell precursors.
- RFC transform into theta-positive cells upon thymic hormone incubation.
- RFC are identified as small, quiescent lymphocytes after macrophage removal.
Conclusions:
- Thymic hormone targets small quiescent lymphocytes in mouse bone marrow.
- These lymphocytes are precursors for T-cell development.
- RFC represent an early stage in T-cell differentiation.