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T cell progenitors in the mouse fetal liver
Transplantation
|January 1, 1983
Summary
Mouse fetal liver contains stem cells that can develop into T and B lymphocytes. These cells mature in the thymus, enabling immune responses in reconstituted mice.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
- Hematopoiesis
Background:
- The origin of T and B lymphocytes is crucial for adaptive immunity.
- Fetal hematopoietic stem cells are known to repopulate various immune lineages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of fetal liver cells to generate T and B cell functions.
- To determine if fetal liver cells can reconstitute immune responses in irradiated mice.
Main Methods:
- Irradiated congenic mice were reconstituted with fetal liver or bone marrow cells.
- Immune function was assessed via thyroid allograft rejection and in vitro assays (PHA, Con A, MLC).
- Cellular origin was confirmed using congenic sera; thymectomy was performed to assess T cell dependence.
Main Results:
- Fetal liver cells reconstituted both T and B cell functions, comparable to bone marrow cells.
- T cell responses matured later (30 days) than B cell responses (14-21 days).
- Responses were thymus-dependent, and donor-derived cells were identified.
Conclusions:
- Fourteen-day mouse fetal liver contains progenitor cells capable of developing into T and B cell lineages.
- T cell development from these progenitors is a thymus-dependent process.