A simple in vitro approach is described for constructing chimeric thym
i in which the degree of chimeric contribution can be tightly controll
ed. This is achieved by protease-assisted dissociation of fresh fetal
thymic tissue, mixing the resulting cell suspensions at the desired ra
tios, and subsequent reaggregation. Analysis of these graded chimeras
shows that stromal elements become evenly interspersed and form a micr
oenvironment able to support the maturation of endogenous T cell precu
rsors. Chimeras between normal and MHC-deficient thymi have been used
to demonstrate the rescue of mutant, allotype-marked thymocytes by wil
d-type stromal cells. Other potential applications of the method inclu
de quantitative studies on positive and negative thymic selection, the
functional role of defined stromal cell types in these processes, and
the analysis of mutants (either natural or engineered) by complementa
tion.