Abstract
Though the function of the thymus is well known, the function of Hassall's corpuscles (HC), the characteristic microorgans in the thymic medulla, has remained obscure. It has been suggested to may be linked with phagocytosis and/or control of thymus cell population. For further characterization of HC we have made following experiments in guinea pigs. 1. Carbon particles injected intravenously do not accumulate in HC more than in the surrounding tissues. This excludes phagocytic function of HC in normal thymus. 2. A number of cortical thymocytes labelled with radioactive thymidine were seen in autoradiographs inside of HC within 1-3 days. 3. The mononuclear cells in HC show high activity of alkaline phosphatase, an endogenous label of guinea pig cortical thymocytes. 4. Homogenates made from microdissected HC do not depress of stimulate the rate of mitoses of cultured thymocytes. 5. In hydrocortison-induced involution of the thymus HC greatly increase in size. This is more marked in those HC, which contain high numbers of dying thymocytes. - It is known that the maturation thymocytes into T-cells takes place during their travel from the thymic cortex to the medulla. Only few immature cells are seen in the medulla and, at least one part of them, are destroyed in HC. Our theory is that HC inhibite immature thymocytes to leave the thymus.Grant: Sigrid Jusélius Foundation.
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