Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Characterization of Thymic Settling Progenitors in the Mouse Embryo Using In Vivo and In Vitro Assays
08:56

Characterization of Thymic Settling Progenitors in the Mouse Embryo Using In Vivo and In Vitro Assays

Published on: June 9, 2015

Characterization of immature CD4+CD8-CD3- thymocytes

P Hugo1, G A Waanders, R Scollay

  • 1Department of Pathology and Immunology, Monash Medical School, Melbourne.

European Journal of Immunology
|March 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

This study characterizes immature CD4+CD8-CD3- thymocytes, finding their development parallels CD4-CD8+CD3- cells. Phenotypic analysis reveals similarities, with proportions varying significantly across mouse strains.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Previously identified immature CD4+CD8-CD3- thymocyte subset.
  • This subset is hypothesized to be the counterpart of the CD4-CD8+CD3- subset.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the ontogeny and phenotype of the CD4+CD8-CD3- thymocyte subset.
  • To compare the CD4+CD8-CD3- subset with the CD4-CD8+CD3- subset.

Main Methods:

  • Fetal thymic organ culture to study ontogeny.
  • Extensive phenotypic characterization using flow cytometry markers (HSA, Thy-1, IL-2Rα, CD44, H-2K, CD5, MEL-14, CD2, LFA-1, MTS 35).
  • Analysis of thymocyte subset proportions across different mouse strains.

Main Results:

  • The ontogeny of CD4+CD8-CD3- and CD4-CD8+CD3- thymocyte subsets occurs in parallel during fetal development.
  • CD4+CD8-CD3- thymocytes exhibit a phenotype (HSAhigh, Thy-1high, IL-2Rα-, CD44-, H-2K+/-, CD5low, MEL-14low/intermediate, CD2+, LFA-1+, MTS 35+) closely resembling CD4-CD8+CD3- thymocytes.
  • The proportion of CD4+CD8-CD3- thymocytes shows significant variability among different mouse strains.

Conclusions:

  • The CD4+CD8-CD3- thymocyte subset shares developmental and phenotypic characteristics with the CD4-CD8+CD3- subset.
  • Strain-dependent variations in CD4+CD8-CD3- thymocyte populations suggest genetic influences on early T-cell development.

More Related Videos

Isolation and Ex Vivo Culture of Vδ1+CD4+γδ T Cells, an Extrathymic αβT-cell Progenitor10:33

Isolation and Ex Vivo Culture of Vδ1+CD4+γδ T Cells, an Extrathymic αβT-cell Progenitor

Published on: December 7, 2015

Preparation and Applications of Organotypic Thymic Slice Cultures10:10

Preparation and Applications of Organotypic Thymic Slice Cultures

Published on: August 6, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Primary Lymphoid Organs01:16

Primary Lymphoid Organs

Primary lymphoid organs are pivotal in the formation, development, and maturation of lymphocytes, the white blood cells that serve as the backbone of our immune system. This crucial function underscores their fundamental role in maintaining our overall health and immunity. The two primary lymphoid organs of prime importance are the red bone marrow and the thymus.
The red bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue nestled in the interior of long bones such as the humerus and femur. It is the site...
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response01:23

Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response

The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...