Cell-cell interactions play a central role during differentiation and development of the immune system. T or B lymphocyte homotypic adhesions can be induced via several surface molecules which, in some cases, are known to trigger the LFA-1/ICAM-1 adhesion pathway. We show here that mAbs reacting with the CD45 common epitopes or restricted RO epitope lead to a strong and rapid aggregation of all human thymocytes, and of T cell lines with an immature phenotype, but not of peripheral T lymphocytes. Aggregation requires energy, a physiologic temperature, Mg2+ divalent cations, and an intact cytoskeleton. It is LFA-1 dependent because CD11a and CD18 mAbs inhibit homotypic aggregation, whereas CD11b and CD11c mAbs do not. Homotypic thymocyte adhesion, however, is not decreased by CD54 mAb (anti-ICAM-1) but is inhibited by CDw50 mAb (anti-ICAM-3). Soluble CD22 fails to induce thymocyte adhesion, suggesting that CD45-induced aggregation is triggered by another ligand. Finally, because inhibitions observed with mAbs against LFA-1 and ICAM-3 are only partial, it can be assumed that another adhesion pathway is involved in thymocyte adhesion. The adhesion event specific for thymocytes we describe here is likely to play an important role in T cell differentiation.