Hematopoietic thymocyte precursors: II. Properties of the precursors.

Abstract

The properties of hematopoietic cells which serve as the precursors of cortical thymocytes in irradiated reconstituted mice have been described. These cells have been termed "prothymocytes." They are 10- to 15-mum diameter cells of low buoyant density. They are nonadherent to glass wool and more resistant to the lytic effects of steroids and gamma-irradiation than their progeny. They lack detectable amounts of the surface markers associated with either B or T cells but do bear at least two antigens recognized by antisera to mouse brain.