Antigen-binding cells in normal mouse thymus.

The thymus of a normal adult mouse contains lymphocytic cells with a large number of antigen-binding receptors. Binding of the antigen by these cells is specific and can be inhibited by cross-reactive materials. It is possible that the interaction of thymocytes with antibody-forming precursor cells, required in the primary immune response to certain antigens, is mediated by these specific antigen-binding cells of the thymus.