Proliferation and differentiation of immature thymocytes induced by a thymic stromal cell clone.

We have recently established a thymic stromal cell clone, MRL104.8a that induces the differentiation of immature thymocytes and produced factors capable of contributing to their proliferation and differentiation. In this review, we will summarize our recent findings obtained regarding the roles of thymic stromal components in intrathymic T cell proliferation and differentiation