What Are Thymocytes?

Thymus cells are the precursors of T cells.

Thymocyte

Thymus cells are the precursors of T cells.

Chinese name

Thymocyte

Nature

T cell precursors

Features

Dense in the cortex, accounting for total thymocytes

Function

Where it can bind to the body's own antigen or

Thymus cells are the precursors of T cells. They are densely packed in the cortex and account for 85% to 90% of the total number of thymic cortical cells. After lymphatic cells migrate into the thymus, they develop into large early thymic cells (about 3%). After proliferation, they become smaller common thymus cells, which are characterized by the appearance of T cell antigen receptors (TCR) and gradually expressing CD4 and CD8 antigens. Such cells account for about 75% of the total number of thymic cells. No response.

Ordinary thymocytes are in the selection phase. All thymocytes (about 95%) that can bind to the body's own antigen or are incompatible with its own MHC antigen will be inactivated or eliminated, and a few selected cells will continue to differentiate. In order to establish a TCR library of lymphocytes that meets the needs of the mechanism. Among the more mature common thymus cells, one of CD4 and CD8 was enhanced, and the other was weakened or disappeared. As a result, CD2 + cells accounted for about 2/3 and CD8 + cells accounted for 1/3.