scholarly journals Intrathymic Selection and Defects in the Thymic Epithelial Cell Development

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 2226
Author(s):  
Javier García-Ceca ◽  
Sara Montero-Herradón ◽  
Agustín G. Zapata
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Cell Attachment ◽  
Immune Surveillance ◽  
T Cell Differentiation ◽  
Thymic Epithelial Cells ◽  
Thymic Epithelial Cell ◽  
Functional Maturation ◽  
T Cell Selection ◽  
T Cell Maturation

Intimate interactions between thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and thymocytes (T) have been repeatedly reported as essential for performing intrathymic T-cell education. Nevertheless, it has been described that animals exhibiting defects in these interactions were capable of a proper positive and negative T-cell selection. In the current review, we first examined distinct types of TECs and their possible role in the immune surveillance. However, EphB-deficient thymi that exhibit profound thymic epithelial (TE) alterations do not exhibit important immunological defects. Eph and their ligands, the ephrins, are implicated in cell attachment/detachment and govern, therefore, TEC–T interactions. On this basis, we hypothesized that a few normal TE areas could be enough for a proper phenotypical and functional maturation of T lymphocytes. Then, we evaluated in vivo how many TECs would be necessary for supporting a normal T-cell differentiation, concluding that a significantly low number of TEC are still capable of supporting normal T lymphocyte maturation, whereas with fewer numbers, T-cell maturation is not possible.

scholarly journals Regulation of medullary thymic epithelial cell differentiation and function by the signaling protein Sin

2010 ◽  
Vol 207 (5) ◽  
pp. 999-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nichole M. Danzl ◽  
Laura T. Donlin ◽  
Konstantina Alexandropoulos
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Keratinocyte Growth Factor ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Thymic Epithelial Cells ◽  
Thymic Epithelial Cell ◽  
T Cell Tolerance ◽  
Cell Tolerance ◽  
Signaling Protein ◽  
Thymic Stroma

Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) play an important role in T cell tolerance and prevention of autoimmunity. Mice deficient in expression of the signaling protein Sin exhibit exaggerated immune responses and multitissue inflammation. Here, we show that Sin is expressed in the thymic stroma, specifically in mTECs. Sin deficiency led to thymic stroma–dependent autoimmune manifestations shown by radiation chimeras and thymic transplants in nude mice, and associated with defective mTEC-mediated elimination of thymocytes in a T cell receptor transgenic model of negative selection. Lack of Sin expression correlated with a disorganized medullary architecture and fewer functionally mature mTECs under steady–state conditions. Additionally, Sin deficiency inhibited the expansion of mTECs in response to in vivo administration of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF). These results identify Sin as a novel regulator of mTEC development and T cell tolerance, and suggest that Sin is important for homeostatic maintenance of the medullary epithelium in the adult thymus.

scholarly journals Effect of Coxsackievirus B4 Infection on the Thymus: Elucidating Its Role in the Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1177
Author(s):  
Abdulaziz Alhazmi ◽  
Magloire Pandoua Nekoua ◽  
Hélène Michaux ◽  
Famara Sane ◽  
Aymen Halouani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 1 Diabetes ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Lymphoid Organ ◽  
Thymic Epithelial Cells ◽  
Central Tolerance ◽  
Coxsackievirus B4

The thymus gland is a primary lymphoid organ for T-cell development. Various viral infections can result in disturbance of thymic functions. Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) are important for the negative selection of self-reactive T-cells to ensure central tolerance. Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is the dominant self-peptide of the insulin family expressed in mTECs and plays a crucial role in the intra-thymic programing of central tolerance to insulin-secreting islet β-cells. Coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4) can infect and persist in the thymus of humans and mice, thus hampering the T-cell maturation and differentiation process. The modulation of IGF2 expression and protein synthesis during a CVB4 infection has been observed in vitro and in vivo in mouse models. The effect of CVB4 infections on human and mouse fetal thymus has been studied in vitro. Moreover, following the inoculation of CVB4 in pregnant mice, the thymic function in the fetus and offspring was disturbed. A defect in the intra-thymic expression of self-peptides by mTECs may be triggered by CVB4. The effects of viral infections, especially CVB4 infection, on thymic cells and functions and their possible role in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) are presented.

scholarly journals Ubiquitin ligase MARCH 8 cooperates with CD83 to control surface MHC II expression in thymic epithelium and CD4 T cell selection

2016 ◽  
Vol 213 (9) ◽  
pp. 1695-1703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiyin Liu ◽  
Reema Jain ◽  
Jing Guan ◽  
Vivian Vuong ◽  
Satoshi Ishido ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Ubiquitin Ligase ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Surface Expression ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Control Surface ◽  
Thymic Epithelial Cells ◽  
Cell Selection ◽  
Mhc Ii ◽  
T Cell Selection

Major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) expression is tightly regulated, being subjected to cell type–specific mechanisms that closely control its levels at the cell surface. Ubiquitination by the E3 ubiquitin ligase MARCH 1 regulates MHC II expression in dendritic cells and B cells. In this study, we demonstrate that the related ligase MARCH 8 is responsible for regulating surface MHC II in thymic epithelial cells (TECs). March8−/− mice have elevated MHC II at the surface of cortical TECs and autoimmune regulator (AIRE)− medullary TECs (mTECs), but not AIRE+ mTECs. Despite this, thymic and splenic CD4+ T cell numbers and repertoires remained unaltered in March8−/− mice. Notably, the ubiquitination of MHC II by MARCH 8 is controlled by CD83. Mice expressing a mutated form of CD83 (Cd83anu/anu mice) have impaired CD4+ T cell selection, but deleting March8 in Cd83anu/anu mice restored CD4+ T cell selection to normal levels. Therefore, orchestrated regulation of MHC II surface expression in TECs by MARCH 8 and CD83 plays a major role in CD4+ T cell selection. Our results also highlight the specialized use of ubiquitinating machinery in distinct antigen-presenting cell types, with important functional consequences and implications for therapeutic manipulation.

Pax1 is expressed during development of the thymus epithelium and is required for normal T-cell maturation

Development ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Wallin ◽  
H. Eibel ◽  
A. Neubuser ◽  
J. Wilting ◽  
H. Koseki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Cell Maturation ◽  
Thymic Epithelial Cells ◽  
Total Size ◽  
Thymic Development ◽  
Transcriptional Regulatory ◽  
Thymus Cells ◽  
T Cell Maturation ◽  
Third Pharyngeal Pouch

Pax1 is a transcriptional regulatory protein expressed during mouse embryogenesis and has been shown to have an important function in vertebral column development. Expression of Pax1 mRNA in the embryonic thymus has been reported previously. Here we show that Pax1 protein expression in thymic epithelial cells can be detected throughout thymic development and in the adult. Expression starts in the early endodermal epithelium lining the foregut region and includes the epithelium of the third pharyngeal pouch, a structure giving rise to part of the thymus epithelium. In early stages of thymus development a large proportion of thymus cells expresses Pax1. With increasing age, the proportion of Pax1-expressing cells is reduced and in the adult mouse only a small fraction of cortical thymic stromal cells retains strong Pax1 expression. Expression of Pax1 in thymus epithelium is necessary for establishing the thymus microenvironment required for normal T cell maturation. Mutations in the Pax-1 gene in undulated mice affect not only the total size of the thymus but also the maturation of thymocytes. The number of thymocytes is reduced about 2- to 5-fold, affecting mainly the CD4+8+ immature and CD4+ mature thymocyte subsets. The expression levels of major thymocyte surface markers remains unchanged with the exception of Thy-1 which was found to be expressed at 3- to 4-fold higher levels.

scholarly journals The Cxxc1 subunit of the Trithorax complex directs epigenetic licensing of CD4+ T cell differentiation

2021 ◽  
Vol 218 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahiro Kiuchi ◽  
Atsushi Onodera ◽  
Kota Kokubo ◽  
Tomomi Ichikawa ◽  
Yuki Morimoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Allergic Airway Inflammation ◽  
T Cell Differentiation ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Th2 Cells ◽  
Th2 Differentiation ◽  
Later Phase ◽  
Th1 And Th2

Different dynamics of gene expression are observed during cell differentiation. In T cells, genes that are turned on early or turned off and stay off have been thoroughly studied. However, genes that are initially turned off but then turned on again after stimulation has ceased have not been defined; they are obviously important, especially in the context of acute versus chronic inflammation. Using the Th1/Th2 differentiation paradigm, we found that the Cxxc1 subunit of the Trithorax complex directs transcription of genes initially down-regulated by TCR stimulation but up-regulated again in a later phase. The late up-regulation of these genes was impaired either by prolonged TCR stimulation or Cxxc1 deficiency, which led to decreased expression of Trib3 and Klf2 in Th1 and Th2 cells, respectively. Loss of Cxxc1 resulted in enhanced pathogenicity in allergic airway inflammation in vivo. Thus, Cxxc1 plays essential roles in the establishment of a proper CD4+ T cell immune system via epigenetic control of a specific set of genes.

Early Maturation of T-Cell Progenitors in the Absence of Glucocorticoids

Blood ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 94 (8) ◽  
pp. 2819-2826 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa Sacedón ◽  
Angeles Vicente ◽  
Alberto Varas ◽  
Eva Jiménez ◽  
Juan José Muñoz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Glucocorticoid Receptors ◽  
Fetal Liver ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
T Cell Differentiation ◽  
Pregnant Rats ◽  
Early Maturation

In the present work, we demonstrated that both fetal liver and thymic T-cell precursors express glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) indirectly suggesting a role for glucocorticoids (GCs) in the earliest events of T-cell differentiation. To evaluate this issue, we analyzed the thymic ontogeny in the progeny of adrenalectomized pregnant rats (Adx fetuses), an in vivo experimental model, which ensures the absence of circulating GCs until the establishment of the fetal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In the absence of maternal GCs, T-cell development was significantly accelerated, the process being reversed by in vivo GC replacement. Mature single positive thymocytes (both CD4 and CD8) appeared in 16-day old fetal Adx thymus when in the control fetuses, most thymocytes still remained in the double-negative (DN) CD4−CD8− cell compartment. In addition, emigration of T-cell receptor (TcR)β positive cells to the spleen also occurred earlier in Adx fetuses than in control ones. In vitro recolonization of cultured deoxiguanosine-treated mouse fetal thymus lobes with 13-day-old fetal liver cell suspensions from both Adx and control fetuses demonstrated changes in the developmental capabilities of fetal liver T-cell precursors from embryos grown in the absence of GCs. Furthermore, a precocious lymphoid colonization of the thymic primordium from Adx fetuses was evidenced by ultrastructural analysis of both Adx and Sham early thymus. Both findings accounted for the accelerated T-cell differentiation observed in Adx fetuses. Together, these results support a role for GCs not only in the thymic cell death, but also in the early steps of T-cell differentiation.

scholarly journals Cathepsin L Regulates CD4+ T Cell Selection Independently of Its Effect on Invariant Chain

2002 ◽  
Vol 195 (10) ◽  
pp. 1349-1358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Honey ◽  
Terry Nakagawa ◽  
Christoph Peters ◽  
Alexander Rudensky
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Positive Selection ◽  
Cathepsin L ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Thymic Epithelial Cells ◽  
Invariant Chain ◽  
Cell Selection ◽  
T Cell Selection

CD4+ T cells are positively selected in the thymus on peptides presented in the context of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules expressed on cortical thymic epithelial cells. Molecules regulating this peptide presentation play a role in determining the outcome of positive selection. Cathepsin L mediates invariant chain processing in cortical thymic epithelial cells, and animals of the I-Ab haplotype deficient in this enzyme exhibit impaired CD4+ T cell selection. To determine whether the selection defect is due solely to the block in invariant chain cleavage we analyzed cathepsin L–deficient mice expressing the I-Aq haplotype which has little dependence upon invariant chain processing for peptide presentation. Our data indicate the cathepsin L defect in CD4+ T cell selection is haplotype independent, and thus imply it is independent of invariant chain degradation. This was confirmed by analysis of I-Ab mice deficient in both cathepsin L and invariant chain. We show that the defect in positive selection in the cathepsin L−/− thymus is specific for CD4+ T cells that can be selected in a wild-type and provide evidence that the repertoire of T cells selected differs from that in wild-type mice, suggesting cortical thymic epithelial cells in cathepsin L knockout mice express an altered peptide repertoire. Thus, we propose a novel role for cathepsin L in regulating positive selection by generating the major histocompatibility complex class II bound peptide ligands presented by cortical thymic epithelial cells.

scholarly journals Tumor-Related Exosomes Contribute to Tumor-Promoting Microenvironment: An Immunological Perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wuzhen Chen ◽  
Jingxin Jiang ◽  
Wenjie Xia ◽  
Jian Huang
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Immune Surveillance ◽  
Suppressor Cells ◽  
Effector T Cell ◽  
T Cell Apoptosis ◽  
And Function

Exosomes are a kind of cell-released membrane-form structures which contain proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. These vesicular organelles play a key role in intercellular communication. Numerous experiments demonstrated that tumor-related exosomes (TEXs) can induce immune surveillance in the microenvironment in vivo and in vitro. They can interfere with the maturation of DC cells, impair NK cell activation, induce myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and educate macrophages into protumor phenotype. They can also selectively induce effector T cell apoptosis via Fas/FasL interaction and enhance regulatory T cell proliferation and function by releasing TGF-β. In this review, we focus on the TEX-induced immunosuppression and microenvironment change. Based on the truth that TEXs play crucial roles in suppressing the immune system, studies on modification of exosomes as immunotherapy strategies will also be discussed.

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