DEVELOPMENT OF LYMPHOCYTES WITH T-MEMBRANE OR B-MEMBRANE DETERMINANTS IN HUMAN FETUS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 29  (2) , 278-285
Abstract
The development of T[thymus-derived]- or B[bone marrow-derived]-membrane determinants on human fetal lymphoid cells was studied by the direct immunofluorescence technique, using a tetramethyl rhodamine isothiocyanate (TRITC) labeled horse antihuman T-cell conjugate (ATC) for the detection of T lymphocytes and a fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled goat antihuman Fab conjugate for the demonstration of Ig[immunoglobulin]-bearing B lymphocytes. Human fetal lymphocytes were also tested for spontaneous rosette formation with sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Cell suspensions of liver, spleen, thymus, bone marrow and blood of 25 human fetuses of 5.5-26 wk of gestational age were investigated. ATC-positive lymphoid cells were first seen in the liver at 5.5 wk; E [erythrocyte] rosette-forming cells (ERFC) and Ig-bearing lymphoid cells were first found at 9 wk. ERFC were also present in the thymus at 9 wk. By 12 wk, fluorescent B and T lymphocytes were found in bone marrow and spleen. ERFC were also found in bone marrow at this age, but not in spleen. At 15 wk, more than 80% of blood lymphoid cells had T or B determinants. A difference in the reactivity of lymphoid cells with the ATC and their capacity to form E rosettes was observed. In liver and spleen, the ATC determinant was detectable before the SRBC receptor. In bone marrow, blood and thymus the ATC determinant was found on a higher percentage of lymphoid cells than was the SRBC receptor when those organs were first investigated. During the entire investigated period of gestation, the majority of lymphoid cells in liver and bone marrow did not react with either of the conjugates, nor did they form E rosettes. In all organs investigated, except in the thymus, lymphoid cells were occasionally seen which reacted with both conjugates. By the 16th wk of fetal age, more than 90% of lymphoid cells in thymus, spleen and blood had acquired T- or B-membrane determinants.