Robert V Rouse
Publication Details
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Traffic of mature lymphocytes into the mouse thymus.
Thymus. 1989; (3-4): 141-8
The thymus is not generally considered to participate in bi-directional peripheral lymphocyte recirculation. We have demonstrated the entry of peripheral lymph node T cells using transfers between Thy-1 congenic mice. These peripheral T cells that enter the thymus bear an essentially medullary (or peripheral) phenotype and on section stains are confined to the medulla where they constitute 0.2-0.3% of the cells. These cells are remarkable for their frequent expression of the peripheral node homing receptor MEL-14 and for their persistence. Using transferred fluorescent labeled cells we also identify the entry of peripheral B cells into the thymus. Possible roles for peripheral B and T cells in the thymus include participation in thymocyte maturation or selection, the generation of thymic pathology and reactions to thymic pathologic processes.
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