A system for lymphocytes in the mouse

Abstract

Abstract A brief review is made of our understanding of the heterogeneity of lymphocytes in the mouse in terms of their anatomic origins. A working hypothesis is presented which is intended to illustrate that there can usefully be recognized at least two kinds of lymphocyte, those which derive directly from the bone marrow and those which, though initially of bonemarrow origin, have come under a differentiational influence within the thymus. The properties of these two kinds of cell are critically considered and various examples are given of the manner in which the hypothesis can be utilized. It must be stressed that the hypothesis is put forward largely for its heuristic value as the evidence for its construction is presently derived almost entirely from small rodents.