Functional Assessment of α(E)β(7)/E-cadherin Interactions in the Steady State Postnatal Thymus

T cell differentiation in the thymus depends on sequential interactions between lymphoid progenitors and stromal cells in discrete regions of the cortex. Here, we show that despite α(E)β(7) expression by a subset of the earliest intrathymic precursors (and E-cadherin expression by thymic stroma), interaction of these elements is not required for proper localization of early progenitors into the cortex, or for successful steady state differentiation. These findings indicate that despite in vitro data demonstrating α(E)β(7) mediated adhesion and proliferation of intrathymic T cell precursor populations, T lymphocyte development can proceed independently of α(E)β(7)/E-cadherin interactions.