Re-utilization of Lymphocytes in Lymphopoiesis

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Abstract
Differentiation of phagocytic reticulum cells into large lymphocytes was observed in rat lymph nodes cultured in vitro. Some of these differentiating cells still contained the pyknotic remains of ingested small lymphocytes, suggesting that the nuclear material of old lymphocytes may be directly re-utilized in the formation of new lymphocytes. These observations are complementary to those of Hamilton who labelled human lymphocytes in the DNA, and from the long persistence of the label, suggested that the DNA of old lymphocytes might be specifically re-utilized, without degradation, in the genesis of new ones.
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