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Intrathymic presentation of circulating non-major histocompatibility complex antigens

Nature volume 308, pages 196–199 (1984)Cite this article

Abstract

Intrathymic selection of T-cell specificity has been shown to be influenced by self-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens encoded by radioresistant thymic stromal cells1,2. The role of non-MHC antigens in intrathymic T-cell differentiation, in particular induction of antigen-specific tolerance, has been unclear3–5 and the access of non-MHC antigens to the thymus is controversial. Here we present evidence that circulating protein antigens enter the thymus and are presented by thymic stromal cells. At least three distinct types of stromal cells are thought to be associated with intrathymic lymphopoiesis6–12; after intravenous (i.v.) injection of antigen only I–A/E-positive medullary dendritic cells, but not I–A/E-negative macrophages or I–A/E-positive cortical epithelial cells co-purified with antigen-specific stimulation of cloned T-helper cells in vitro. Antigen presentation by thymic stromal cells was dependent on the dose of antigen injected and the time interval after injection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer Biology Research Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, 94305, USA

    B. A. Kyewski & H. S. Kaplan

  2. Division of Immunology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, 94305, USA

    C. G. Fathman

Authors
  1. B. A. Kyewski
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  2. C. G. Fathman
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  3. H. S. Kaplan
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Kyewski, B., Fathman, C. & Kaplan, H. Intrathymic presentation of circulating non-major histocompatibility complex antigens. Nature 308, 196–199 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/308196a0

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