[Study of the myoid cells of the thymus by the immunofluorescent method]

Abstract

Muscular proteins were found in the cytoplasm of myoid cells of the thymus in all investigated species (chicken, mouse, rat, guinea pig, rabbit, cattle, human) by the method of immunofluorescence using the human serum containing antibodies to antigens of muscular fibres of striated muscles and fluorescent antibodies to human immunoglobulins. Under study were the characteristic features of the content and localization of the myoid antigen in the sarcolytes of the thymus of animals and man. The obtained data show a permanent presence of muscular antigens in the internal medium of the thymus and speak in favour of their possible participation, in addition to other heteroorganic antigens of the thymus, in the formation of natural immunological tolerance to the proper antigens of the organism in the process of differentiation of thymocytes.