Functional Heterogeneity of Thymus-Derived Lymphocytes

Abstract

It is now clear that two general classes of peripheral lymphocytes exist, the thymus derived (t) and thymus independent (B). The T lymphocytes subserve an important body of immunologic functions including delayed hypersensitivity, allograft immunity, graft versus host reactivity and helper function in the activation of precrusors of antibody secreting cells. Data suggesting the existence of T cell subsets has recently been presented (1). In particular, Asofsky and his colleagues have demonstrated specific interactions between different forms of T cells in graft versus host reactions in mice (2,3).