Definition
noun
The progenitor cell in the lymphoid lineage capable of differentiating into lymphocyte and lymphoid dendritic cell
Supplement
The cellular elements of blood are all derived from the multipotent hemocytoblast (a hematopoietic stem cell). The hemocytoblast is capable of giving rise to another hemocytoblast and to different cellular elements in blood. The process that leads to the formation of various blood cell types from a hemocytoblast is called hematopoiesis. There are two major lineages in the hematopoiesis: the myeloid lineage and the lymphoid lineage.
In the lymphoid lineage, the hemocytoblast gives rise to a lymphoid precursor, called a common lymhpoid progenitor cell (CLP). This cell is therefore capable of developing and differentiating into any of the lymphoid cell types. It could lead to the formation of lymphocytes and lymphoid dendritic cell. The process in which the CLP develops into a mature lymphocyte or lymphoid dendritic cell is referred to as lymphopoiesis. Lymphopoiesis is a type of hematopoiesis.
The CLP may give rise to a lymphoblast, which later matures into a lymphocyte, e.g. B cell, T cell, or NK cell. The CLP may also differentiate into a lymphoid dendritic cell.
Abbreviation/Acronym:
- CLP
See also:
