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Wu H, Li X, Zhou C, Yu Q, Ge S, Pan Z, Zhao Y, Xia S, Zhou X, Liu X, Wang H, Shao Q. Circulating mature dendritic cells homing to the thymus promote thymic epithelial cells involution via the Jagged1/Notch3 axis. Cell Death Discov 2021; 7:225. [PMID: 34462426 PMCID: PMC8404188 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-021-00619-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple proinflammatory conditions, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, transplant rejection, and microbial infections, have been identified to induce involution of the thymus. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of these inflammatory conditions inducing apoptosis of thymic epithelial cells (TECs), the main components of the thymus, remain largely unknown. In the circulation, mature dendritic cells (mDCs), the predominant initiator of innate and adaptive immune response, can migrate into the thymus. Herein, we demonstrated that mDCs were able to directly inhibit TECs proliferation and induce their apoptosis by activating the Jagged1/Notch3 signaling pathway. Intrathymic injection of either mDCs or recombinant mouse Jagged1-human Fc fusion protein (rmJagged1-hFc) into mice resulted in acute atrophy of the thymus. Furthermore, DAPT, a γ-secretase inhibitor, reversed the effects induced by mDC or rmJagged1-hFc. These findings suggest that acute or aging-related thymus degeneration can be induced either by mass migration of circulating mDCs in a short period of time or by a few but constantly homing mDCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haojie Wu
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Xiaohan Li
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Chen Zhou
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Qihong Yu
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Shiyao Ge
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Zihui Pan
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Yangjing Zhao
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Sheng Xia
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoming Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Xia Liu
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Hui Wang
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
| | - Qixiang Shao
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Reproductive Immunity, School of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Jiangsu College of Nursing, Huai'an, 223002, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
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Thymic epithelial cell development and its dysfunction in human diseases. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:206929. [PMID: 24672784 PMCID: PMC3929497 DOI: 10.1155/2014/206929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2013] [Accepted: 11/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are the key components in thymic microenvironment for T cells development. TECs, composed of cortical and medullary TECs, are derived from a common bipotent progenitor and undergo a stepwise development controlled by multiple levels of signals to be functionally mature for supporting thymocyte development. Tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family members including the receptor activator for NFκB (RANK), CD40, and lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR) cooperatively control the thymic medullary microenvironment and self-tolerance establishment. In addition, fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), Wnt, and Notch signals are essential for establishment of functional thymic microenvironment. Transcription factors Foxn1 and autoimmune regulator (Aire) are powerful modulators of TEC development, differentiation, and self-tolerance. Dysfunction in thymic microenvironment including defects of TEC and thymocyte development would cause physiological disorders such as tumor, infectious diseases, and autoimmune diseases. In the present review, we will summarize our current understanding on TEC development and the underlying molecular signals pathways and the involvement of thymus dysfunction in human diseases.
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Phenotypical and morphological changes in the thymic microenvironment from ageing mice. Biogerontology 2008; 10:311-22. [PMID: 18931936 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-008-9182-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2008] [Accepted: 09/25/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The thymus is crucial for T-cell output and the age-associated involution of this organ, is thought to have a major impact in the decline in immunity that is seen in later life. The mechanism that underlines thymic involution is not known, however, we have evidence to suggest that this is may be due to changes in the thymic microenvironment. To further test this hypothesis, we quantified the in situ changes to markers that identify cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells. This analysis revealed an age-dependent decline in cortical and medullary markers together with an increase in Notch and Delta expression, in older mice, as judged by immunohistochemistry. This was accompanied by alterations of the archetypal staining patterns and three dimensional analysis revealed changes in the morphology of the thymic microenvironment. These studies suggest that there are age-associated alterations in the thymic microenvironment, which may therefore play a role in thymic involution.
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Abstract
Age-associated thymic involution is one of the most dramatic and ubiquitous changes in the immune system, although the precise mechanisms involved still remain obscured. Several hypotheses have been proposed incorporating extrinsic and intrinsic factors, however, changes in the thymic microenvironment itself is one of the least investigated. We therefore decided to undertake a detailed histological examination of the aging thymus in order to elucidate possible mechanisms of thymic atrophy. This investigation provides insight into the changes within the murine thymus with age, demonstrating a new approach to quantify protein expressional differences while preserving the thymic architecture. There is a decline in expression of thymic epithelial cell-specific makers and an increase in fibroblast content in the aging mouse thymus. This is concurrent with a disorganization of the thymic compartments, a morphological transformation within the epithelial cells and alterations of their archetypal staining patterns. Furthermore, this is linked to a rise in apoptotic cells and the novel finding of increased senescence in the thymus of older mice that appears to be colocalized in the epithelial compartment. These changes within the thymic epithelial cells may be in part accountable for thymic atrophy and responsible for the decline in T-cell output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Aw
- Host Response and Genes and Development Group, Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UK
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