Preliminary Evaluation of Elasmobranch Large Thymic Cells: Possible Phylogenetic Equivalents to Mammalian Thymic Nurse Cells

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MCB 9509105 Catherine Walsh This proposal is designed to provide valuable preliminary data contributing to the long-term goal of characterizing thymic function in cartilaginous fish, the most primitive groups of jawed vertebrates to possess a distinct thymus. The work focuses on the preliminary characterization of possible phylogenetic equivalents of specialized cells identified in mammalian thymi as thymic nurse cells. The thymic nurse cells are suspected to have roles in interthymic T-cell maturation and/or removal of nonfunctional or self reactive thymocytes. The research planning grant will be used to develop a full research proposal to characterize the functional role and evolutionary significance of elasmobranch thymic cells. %%% This project will investigate the evolution of the thymus and the interrelation of cells in the thymus. It will provide evidence to explain how cells acquire different functions in the body of an organism. ***