Ontogeny of Cell Populations Required for Immunocompetence

[摘要] Differentiation from cellular progenitors of two cell populations required for the immune response to sheep erythrocyte antigens was studied. The receptor-bearing population differentiates from bone marrow progenitors much more rapidly than the peripheral thymic population. The differentiation from bone marrow progenitors of the cells with receptors for antigen is completely independent of thymus, while the differentiation of the peripheral thymic population is dependent upon thymus function. Peyer's patches may not be considered solely as primary lymphoid organs. Peyer's patches in adults have all the cell populations required for immunocompetence. In addition, Peyer's patches cannot be considered the initial source in the neonatal period of the cells with receptors for antigen, because these cells are present in the prenatal period in fetal liver.

[学科分类] 生物科学（综合）