Abstract
We have examined the effects of the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A (CsA) on the phenotypic maturation of T cells in thymic organ cultures begun at day 16 of gestation. CsA specifically inhibited the generation of cells expressing high levels of alpha/beta TcR/CD3 complexes and a mature phenotype defined by CD4 and CD8 surface markers. Adding interleukin (IL) 1 beta, IL 2 or IL 4 failed to reverse the effects of CsA, and major histocompatibility complex class II expression in the thymic medulla was preserved. Possible mechanisms of CsA-mediated inhibition of T cell development are discussed.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / analysis
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CD3 Complex
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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Cyclosporins / pharmacology*
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Female
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Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / analysis
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Interleukins / pharmacology
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Organ Culture Techniques
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Phenotype
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / analysis
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T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
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T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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T-Lymphocytes / physiology
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T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / drug effects
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T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
Substances
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Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte
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CD3 Complex
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Cyclosporins
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Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
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Interleukins
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell