Thymocyte - Alternative Lineages

Alternative Lineages

As well as classical αβ T cells (their development of which is outlined above), a number of other T lineages develop in the thymus, including γδ T cells and Natural Killer T (NKT)cells. Additionally, other non-T hematopoietic lineages can develop in the thymus, including B lymphocytes (B cells), Natural Killer lymphocytes (NK cells).), myeloid cells, and dendritic cells. However, the thymus is not a source of B, NK, or myeloid development. The development of these cells in the thymus reflects the multipotent nature of hematopoitic prognitors that seed the thymus.