Abstract
Signaling through the transmembrane Notch1 receptor directs thymus-seeding progenitors (TSPs) to suppress their B cell potential and 'choose' the T cell fate. Present paradigms suggest that TSPs are contained in the multipotent early T lineage precursor (ETP) subset of thymocytes. However, we show here that the B cell potential of ETPs was not augmented in microenvironments that limited Notch1 activation. Furthermore, low-threshold Notch1 signals suppressed B cell production by TSPs before they reached the ETP stage. Notch1 signals of a higher threshold were needed to drive proliferation of ETPs and development into CD4(+)CD8(+) double-positive thymocytes. Thus, TSPs can be differentiated from all previously identified early T cell progenitors by their robust B cell potential and exquisite sensitivity to Notch1 signals.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.