Role of the Thymus in the Development of Immunocompetence of Embryonic Liver Cells in Vitro ∗

Abstract

Summary

The immunological competence of embryonic mouse liver cells was studied using the in vitro graft-versus-host system for assay. Embryonic liver cells did not have the capacity to induce splenomegaly when taken from embryos directly, nor did they acquire this capacity when cultivated as organ cultures for four to six days. The capacity to induce splenomegaly was acquired, however, when liver explants were cultivated for several days in combination with thymus tissue.