Biomaterial Database

Thymic microenvironment and cultures derived from mouse thymic explants. A morphological study. 1981

G Goffinet, and M P Houben-Defresne, and L J Simar, and J Boniver

Cultures derived from thymus fragments of embryonic (18-19 day old), newborn or one month old C57BL mice have been characterized functionally l(phagocytic and nonspecific esterase activities) and morphologically by means of light, scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. The observations show the heterogeneity of the cell populations composing the monolayers. After a few days incubation macrophages appear as the predominating cell type, while epithelial cells usually constitute no more than 30% of the cells. Experiments designed to determine the fate of lymphocytes adhering to the monolayers lead us to believe (on the basis of SEM morphometric analysis) that the survival of lymphocytes attached either to thymic macrophages or to epithelial cells is improved during the first days of coculture. This survival enhancement does not, however, appear to be a specific inductive effect since a similar survival increase is found when lymphocytes adhere to non-thymic cells. In contrast with the monolayer, the explant provides a three-dimensional culture system able to preserve intact thymic microenvironmental conditions since numerous lymphocytes are found even in five week old cultures which were not overlaid with thymocytes or spleen cells.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008264	Macrophages	The relatively long-lived phagocytic cell of mammalian tissues that are derived from blood MONOCYTES. Main types are PERITONEAL MACROPHAGES; ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES; HISTIOCYTES; KUPFFER CELLS of the liver; and OSTEOCLASTS. They may further differentiate within chronic inflammatory lesions to EPITHELIOID CELLS or may fuse to form FOREIGN BODY GIANT CELLS or LANGHANS GIANT CELLS. (from The Dictionary of Cell Biology, Lackie and Dow, 3rd ed.)	Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages,Monocyte-Derived Macrophages,Macrophage,Macrophages, Monocyte-Derived,Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages,Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophage,Macrophage, Bone Marrow-Derived,Macrophage, Monocyte-Derived,Macrophages, Bone Marrow-Derived,Macrophages, Monocyte Derived,Monocyte Derived Macrophages,Monocyte-Derived Macrophage
D008810	Mice, Inbred C57BL	One of the first INBRED MOUSE STRAINS to be sequenced. This strain is commonly used as genetic background for transgenic mouse models. Refractory to many tumors, this strain is also preferred model for studying role of genetic variations in development of diseases.	Mice, C57BL,Mouse, C57BL,Mouse, Inbred C57BL,C57BL Mice,C57BL Mice, Inbred,C57BL Mouse,C57BL Mouse, Inbred,Inbred C57BL Mice,Inbred C57BL Mouse
D009940	Organoids	An organization of cells into an organ-like structure. Organoids can be generated in culture, e.g., self-organized three-dimensional tissue structures derived from STEM CELLS (see MICROPHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS). They are also found in certain NEOPLASMS.	Organoid
D002448	Cell Adhesion	Adherence of cells to surfaces or to other cells.	Adhesion, Cell,Adhesions, Cell,Cell Adhesions
D002462	Cell Membrane	The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.	Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D002470	Cell Survival	The span of viability of a cell characterized by the capacity to perform certain functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, some form of responsiveness, and adaptability.	Cell Viability,Cell Viabilities,Survival, Cell,Viabilities, Cell,Viability, Cell
D004847	Epithelial Cells	Cells that line the inner and outer surfaces of the body by forming cellular layers (EPITHELIUM) or masses. Epithelial cells lining the SKIN; the MOUTH; the NOSE; and the ANAL CANAL derive from ectoderm; those lining the RESPIRATORY SYSTEM and the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM derive from endoderm; others (CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM and LYMPHATIC SYSTEM) derive from mesoderm. Epithelial cells can be classified mainly by cell shape and function into squamous, glandular and transitional epithelial cells.	Adenomatous Epithelial Cells,Columnar Glandular Epithelial Cells,Cuboidal Glandular Epithelial Cells,Glandular Epithelial Cells,Squamous Cells,Squamous Epithelial Cells,Transitional Epithelial Cells,Adenomatous Epithelial Cell,Cell, Adenomatous Epithelial,Cell, Epithelial,Cell, Glandular Epithelial,Cell, Squamous,Cell, Squamous Epithelial,Cell, Transitional Epithelial,Cells, Adenomatous Epithelial,Cells, Epithelial,Cells, Glandular Epithelial,Cells, Squamous,Cells, Squamous Epithelial,Cells, Transitional Epithelial,Epithelial Cell,Epithelial Cell, Adenomatous,Epithelial Cell, Glandular,Epithelial Cell, Squamous,Epithelial Cell, Transitional,Epithelial Cells, Adenomatous,Epithelial Cells, Glandular,Epithelial Cells, Squamous,Epithelial Cells, Transitional,Glandular Epithelial Cell,Squamous Cell,Squamous Epithelial Cell,Transitional Epithelial Cell
D005347	Fibroblasts	Connective tissue cells which secrete an extracellular matrix rich in collagen and other macromolecules.	Fibroblast
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013601	T-Lymphocytes	Lymphocytes responsible for cell-mediated immunity. Two types have been identified - cytotoxic (T-LYMPHOCYTES, CYTOTOXIC) and helper T-lymphocytes (T-LYMPHOCYTES, HELPER-INDUCER). They are formed when lymphocytes circulate through the THYMUS GLAND and differentiate to thymocytes. When exposed to an antigen, they divide rapidly and produce large numbers of new T cells sensitized to that antigen.	T Cell,T Lymphocyte,T-Cells,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocytes,Cell, T,Cells, T,Lymphocyte, T,Lymphocyte, Thymus-Dependent,Lymphocytes, T,Lymphocytes, Thymus-Dependent,T Cells,T Lymphocytes,T-Cell,T-Lymphocyte,Thymus Dependent Lymphocytes,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocyte