Cellular and matrix interactions during the development of T lymphocytes
The thymus contains an extensive extracellular matrix. Although thymocytes express integrins capable of binding to matrix molecules, the functional significance of the matrix for T cell development is uncertain. We have shown that the matrix is associated with thymic fibroblasts which are required for the CD44+ CD25+ stage of double negative (CD4-8-) thymocyte development. The survival of cells at this stage is dependent on IL-7 and we propose that the role of fibroblasts is to present, via the matrix, IL-7 to developing T cells.
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Associação Brasileira de Divulgação Científica
1999
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| Online Access: | http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X1999000500008 |
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