Cytochemical Study of Thymocytes and T Lymphocytes |
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| Authors: | G. Basso M. G. Cocito G. Semenzato A. Pezzutto L. Zanesco |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Pediatrics, Second Medical Clinic and Immunopathology Division, University of Padua;*Department of Medicine, Second Medical Clinic and Immunopathology Division, University of Padua |
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| Abstract: | Summary. Fetal and postnatal thymocytes and circulating T lymphocytes were evaluated for six cytochemical reactions. Acid phosphatase activity was present in a high percentage of cells in all three groups. Beta-glucuronidase and α-naphthyl acetate acid esterase were negative in the most immature fetal thymocytes, but become increasingly positive with T-cell maturation. Only the circulating lymphocytes presented a high percentage of N-acetyl beta glucosaminidase, α-naphthyl acetate esterase and α-naphthyl butyrate esterase positive cells. This study discusses the presence of these enzymes as proportional to different stages in T-cell maturation, and also of certain cytochemical phenotypes characteristic of these stages. |
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