Cells reacting with the monoclonal anti-IL-2 receptor antibody AMT-13 in the regenerating thymus of irradiated mice.

The proportion and anatomical localization in murine thymus of T cell subpopulations, including those which are defined by the monoclonal anti-interleukin 2 (anti-IL-2) receptor antibody AMT-13, were studied by flow cytofluorometry and by immunohistochemical methods, both in irradiated and in normal mice. As a consequence of irradiation the proportion of AMT-13 positive cells and that of Lyt-1 positive cells were markedly enhanced, while the proportion of Lyt-2 positive cells was reduced. The vast majority of the AMT-13 positive cells both in normal and in irradiated thymi were located in the subcapsular area of the thymic cortex, whereas the irradiation resistant Lyt-1 positive cells were located in the medulla. These findings are compatible with the view that, similar to the developing thymus in the mouse embryo, in the regenerating adult thymus, AMT-13+ cells include the activated pro-thymocytes that repopulate the irradiated thymus.