Linked Life Data

12960296

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/12960296

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
6
pubmed:dateCreated
2003-9-8
pubmed:abstractText
A vast majority of thymocytes are eliminated during T cell development by apoptosis. However, apoptotic thymocytes are not usually found in the thymus, indicating that apoptotic thymocytes must be eliminated rapidly by scavengers. Although macrophages and dendritic cells are believed to play such role, little is known about scavengers in the thymus. We found that CD4(+)/CD11b(+)/CD11c(-) cells were present in the thymus and that they expressed costimulatory molecules for T cell selection and possessed Ag-presenting activity. Moreover, these CD4(+)/CD11b(+) cells phagocytosed apoptotic thymocytes much more efficiently than thymic CD4(-)/CD11b(+) cells as well as activated peritoneal macrophages. CD4(+)/CD11b(+) cells became larger along with thymus development, while no such change was observed in CD4(-)/CD11b(+) cells. Finally, engulfed nuclei were frequently found in CD4(+)/CD11b(+) cells. These results strongly suggest that thymic CD4(+)/CD11b(+) cells are major scavengers of apoptotic thymocytes.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Sep
pubmed:issn
0022-1767
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
15
pubmed:volume
171
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
2773-7
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2003
pubmed:articleTitle
Cutting Edge: A possible role for CD4+ thymic macrophages as professional scavengers of apoptotic thymocytes.
pubmed:affiliation
Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't