Thymocyte Thymus gland

OTCs have severe effects on the immune systems, causing premature atrophy of thymus gland and lymphoid tissues as well as inhibition of spleen cell activity. Inhibition of phagocytosis and cytolysis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes with resultant depression of cell-mediated immune responses have also been demonstrated21-37. The influence of the thymus atrophy-inducing dibutyltin dichloride Bu2SnCl2 on the differentiation and proliferation of immature rat thymocyte subsets were studied in vivo and in vitro. The atrophy results from a depletion of small CD4+CD8+ thymocytes which is caused by a diminished production of immature CD4+CD8+ and CD4+CD8+ thymoblasts. Dibutyltin dichloride inhibits the activation, but not the differentiation of immature CD4+CD8+ thymocytes in vivo and in vitro, suggesting a selective antiproliferative activity of this compound. It also... 

Thymocytes are obtained from the thymus of BALB/c mice. Contamination by cutting of the oesophagus or the trachea should be avoided. The glands are rinsed with non-supplemented medium and a cell suspension is prepared by forcing the cells into 10 ml supplemented medium (see below). Cell clumps are dispersed by pipetting and the suspension is diluted to 8 x 10 cells/ml. 

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