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Concanavalin A-induced electrokinetic changes and redistribution of receptors in mouse thymocytes
Thymocytes are known to consist of mature and immature cells. The assessment of Con A-induced changes in electrophoretic mobilities (EPM) and receptor redistribution in thymocytes of AKR mice revealed two distinct sub-populations of cells. Sub-population A showed receptor redistribution and increase in EPM at low concentrations of Con A (5 micrograms/ml). Majority of these cells showed two sets of sequentially reacting receptor sites for the lectin. Cells belonging to sub-population B, in contrast, required higher concentrations (15-25 micrograms/ml) of Con A for the redistribution of receptors. Second set of receptors, reacting with Con A after the redistribution of the first set, could not be detected on these cells. High concentrations of Con A inhibited receptor mobility on all the thymocytes. The receptor redistributional profile of cells in the sub-population A was similar to that of mature splenic T-cells while cells in sub-population B resembled the immature leukaemic cells in this respect. These investigations provide an additional parameter to study cellular heterogeneity in thymus.
Thymocytes are known to consist of mature and immature cells. The assessment of Con A-induced changes in electrophoretic mobilities (EPM) and receptor redistribution in thymocytes of AKR mice revealed two distinct sub-populations of cells. Sub-population A showed receptor redistribution and increase in EPM at low concentrations of Con A (5 micrograms/ml). Majority of these cells showed two sets of sequentially reacting receptor sites for the lectin. Cells belonging to sub-population B, in contrast, required higher concentrations (15-25 micrograms/ml) of Con A for the redistribution of receptors. Second set of receptors, reacting with Con A after the redistribution of the first set, could not be detected on these cells. High concentrations of Con A inhibited receptor mobility on all the thymocytes. The receptor redistributional profile of cells in the sub-population A was similar to that of mature splenic T-cells while cells in sub-population B resembled the immature leukaemic cells in this respect. These investigations provide an additional parameter to study cellular heterogeneity in thymus.