T-cell differentiation in the rabbit. II. Con A and PHA response of thymus, spleen and lymph node cells and of thymus subpopulations; influence of dexamethasone treatment.

: Mitogen-induced proliferation of rabbit lymphocytes from the thymus (Thy), spleen (Spl) and lymph node (LN) was measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation. The various cell suspensions taken from normal animals showed wide differences in their response to Con A and PHA. Cell suspensions taken from steroid-treated animals did not show differences in response. The disappearance of these differences in mitogen reactivity after steroid treatment is caused by a decreased Con A response of LN cells and an increased Con A and PHA response of Thy cells. The results suggest the existence of a steroid-sensitive (Ss). Con A-responsive cell population in LN cells. The mitogen response of untreated and steroid-resistant (SR) Thy cells was further investigated in cell suspensions separated on density gradients and in cell suspensions enriched in, or depleted of cells bearing receptors for Fc (T gamma and T non-gamma, respectively). It is concluded that Ss thymocytes of high density are mitogen non-reactive, and that Ss cells of low and medium density consist of subpopulations of cells reactive to Con A and/or to PHA. Sr thymocytes still displayed heterogeneity in buoyant density and mitogen responsiveness. Heavy cells and T gamma cells (10% of the Sr cells were T gamma) showed a lowered mitogen response. The results are discussed in relation to data describing the localization of the cell types which differ in mitogen reactivity. The results support the idea of two differentiation pathways, one for Ss and the other for Sr thymocytes.