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Tong Q, Yao L, Su M, Yang YG, Sun L. Thymocyte migration and emigration. Immunol Lett 2024; 267:106861. [PMID: 38697225 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2024.106861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Hematopoietic precursors (HPCs) entering into the thymus undergo a sequential process leading to the generation of a variety of T cell subsets. This developmental odyssey unfolds in distinct stages within the thymic cortex and medulla, shaping the landscape of T cell receptor (TCR) expression and guiding thymocytes through positive and negative selection. Initially, early thymic progenitors (ETPs) take residence in the thymic cortex, where thymocytes begin to express their TCR and undergo positive selection. Subsequently, thymocytes transition to the thymic medulla, where they undergo negative selection. Both murine and human thymocyte development can be broadly classified into distinct stages based on the expression of CD4 and CD8 coreceptors, resulting in categorizations as double negative (DN), double positive (DP) or single positive (SP) cells. Thymocyte migration to the appropriate thymic microenvironment at the right differentiation stage is pivotal for the development and the proper functioning of T cells, which is critical for adaptive immune responses. The journey of lymphoid progenitor cells into the T cell developmental pathway hinges on an ongoing dialogue between the differentiating cell and the signals emanating from the thymus niche. Herein, we review the contribution of the key factors mentioned above for the localization, migration and emigration of thymocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyue Tong
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China; National-local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, China
| | - Liyu Yao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Mengting Su
- National-local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, China
| | - Yong-Guang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China; National-local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, China.
| | - Liguang Sun
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China; National-local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, China.
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2
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Liu T, Xia S. The Proteostasis of Thymic Stromal Cells in Health and Diseases. Protein J 2024; 43:447-463. [PMID: 38622349 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-024-10197-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
The thymus is the key immune organ for the development of T cells. Different populations of thymic stromal cells interact with T cells, thereby controlling the dynamic development of T cells through their differentiation and function. Proteostasis represents a balance between protein expression, folding, and modification and protein clearance, and its fluctuation usually depends at least partially on related protein regulatory systems for further survival and effects. However, in terms of the substantial requirement for self-antigens and their processing burden, increasing evidence highlights that protein regulation contributes to the physiological effects of thymic stromal cells. Impaired proteostasis may expedite the progression of thymic involution and dysfunction, accompanied by the development of autoimmune diseases or thymoma. Hence, in this review, we summarize the regulation of proteostasis within different types of thymic stromal cells under physiological and pathological conditions to identify potential targets for thymic regeneration and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Liu
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301, Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China
| | - Sheng Xia
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301, Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China.
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3
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Shirafkan F, Hensel L, Rattay K. Immune tolerance and the prevention of autoimmune diseases essentially depend on thymic tissue homeostasis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1339714. [PMID: 38571951 PMCID: PMC10987875 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1339714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The intricate balance of immune reactions towards invading pathogens and immune tolerance towards self is pivotal in preventing autoimmune diseases, with the thymus playing a central role in establishing and maintaining this equilibrium. The induction of central immune tolerance in the thymus involves the elimination of self-reactive T cells, a mechanism essential for averting autoimmunity. Disruption of the thymic T cell selection mechanisms can lead to the development of autoimmune diseases. In the dynamic microenvironment of the thymus, T cell migration and interactions with thymic stromal cells are critical for the selection processes that ensure self-tolerance. Thymic epithelial cells are particularly significant in this context, presenting self-antigens and inducing the negative selection of autoreactive T cells. Further, the synergistic roles of thymic fibroblasts, B cells, and dendritic cells in antigen presentation, selection and the development of regulatory T cells are pivotal in maintaining immune responses tightly regulated. This review article collates these insights, offering a comprehensive examination of the multifaceted role of thymic tissue homeostasis in the establishment of immune tolerance and its implications in the prevention of autoimmune diseases. Additionally, the developmental pathways of the thymus are explored, highlighting how genetic aberrations can disrupt thymic architecture and function, leading to autoimmune conditions. The impact of infections on immune tolerance is another critical area, with pathogens potentially triggering autoimmunity by altering thymic homeostasis. Overall, this review underscores the integral role of thymic tissue homeostasis in the prevention of autoimmune diseases, discussing insights into potential therapeutic strategies and examining putative avenues for future research on developing thymic-based therapies in treating and preventing autoimmune conditions.
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4
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Ohigashi I, White AJ, Yang MT, Fujimori S, Tanaka Y, Jacques A, Kiyonari H, Matsushita Y, Turan S, Kelly MC, Anderson G, Takahama Y. Developmental conversion of thymocyte-attracting cells into self-antigen-displaying cells in embryonic thymus medulla epithelium. eLife 2024; 12:RP92552. [PMID: 38466627 PMCID: PMC10928509 DOI: 10.7554/elife.92552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Thymus medulla epithelium establishes immune self-tolerance and comprises diverse cellular subsets. Functionally relevant medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) include a self-antigen-displaying subset that exhibits genome-wide promiscuous gene expression promoted by the nuclear protein Aire and that resembles a mosaic of extrathymic cells including mucosal tuft cells. An additional mTEC subset produces the chemokine CCL21, thereby attracting positively selected thymocytes from the cortex to the medulla. Both self-antigen-displaying and thymocyte-attracting mTEC subsets are essential for self-tolerance. Here, we identify a developmental pathway by which mTECs gain their diversity in functionally distinct subsets. We show that CCL21-expressing mTECs arise early during thymus ontogeny in mice. Fate-mapping analysis reveals that self-antigen-displaying mTECs, including Aire-expressing mTECs and thymic tuft cells, are derived from CCL21-expressing cells. The differentiation capability of CCL21-expressing embryonic mTECs is verified in reaggregate thymus experiments. These results indicate that CCL21-expressing embryonic mTECs carry a developmental potential to give rise to self-antigen-displaying mTECs, revealing that the sequential conversion of thymocyte-attracting subset into self-antigen-displaying subset serves to assemble functional diversity in the thymus medulla epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of TokushimaTokushimaJapan
| | - Andrea J White
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of BirminghamBirminghamUnited Kingdom
| | - Mei-Ting Yang
- Thymus Biology Section, Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Sayumi Fujimori
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of TokushimaTokushimaJapan
| | - Yu Tanaka
- Thymus Biology Section, Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Alison Jacques
- Thymus Biology Section, Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Hiroshi Kiyonari
- Laboratory for Animal Resources and Genetic Engineering, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics ResearchHyogoJapan
| | - Yosuke Matsushita
- Division of Genome Medicine, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of TokushimaTokushimaJapan
| | - Sevilay Turan
- Sequencing Facility, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer InstituteFrederickUnited States
| | - Michael C Kelly
- Single Cell Analysis Facility, Cancer Research Technology Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Graham Anderson
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of BirminghamBirminghamUnited Kingdom
| | - Yousuke Takahama
- Thymus Biology Section, Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
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5
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Ohigashi I, White AJ, Yang MT, Fujimori S, Tanaka Y, Jacques A, Kiyonari H, Matsushita Y, Turan S, Kelly MC, Anderson G, Takahama Y. Developmental conversion of thymocyte-attracting cells into self-antigen-displaying cells in embryonic thymus medulla epithelium. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.03.560657. [PMID: 37873155 PMCID: PMC10592888 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.03.560657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Thymus medulla epithelium establishes immune self-tolerance and comprises diverse cellular subsets. Functionally relevant medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) include a self-antigen-displaying subset that exhibits genome-wide promiscuous gene expression promoted by the nuclear protein Aire and that resembles a mosaic of extrathymic cells including mucosal tuft cells. An additional mTEC subset produces the chemokine CCL21, thereby attracting positively selected thymocytes from the cortex to the medulla. Both self-antigen-displaying and thymocyte-attracting mTEC subsets are essential for self-tolerance. Here we identify a developmental pathway by which mTECs gain their diversity in functionally distinct subsets. We show that CCL21-expressing mTECs arise early during thymus ontogeny. Fate-mapping analysis reveals that self-antigen-displaying mTECs, including Aire-expressing mTECs and thymic tuft cells, are derived from CCL21-expressing cells. The differentiation capability of CCL21-expressing embryonic mTECs is verified in reaggregate thymus experiments. These results indicate that CCL21-expressing embryonic mTECs carry a developmental potential to give rise to self-antigen-displaying mTECs, revealing that the sequential conversion of thymocyte-attracting subset into self-antigen-displaying subset serves to assemble functional diversity in the thymus medulla epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Andrea J. White
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Mei-Ting Yang
- Thymus Biology Section, Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Sayumi Fujimori
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Yu Tanaka
- Thymus Biology Section, Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Alison Jacques
- Thymus Biology Section, Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Hiroshi Kiyonari
- Laboratory for Animal Resources and Genetic Engineering, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 2-2-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Yosuke Matsushita
- Division of Genome Medicine, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Sevilay Turan
- Sequencing Facility, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21701, USA
| | - Michael C. Kelly
- Single Cell Analysis Facility, Cancer Research Technology Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Graham Anderson
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Yousuke Takahama
- Thymus Biology Section, Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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Ono K, Sujino T, Miyamoto K, Harada Y, Kojo S, Yoshimatsu Y, Tanemoto S, Koda Y, Zheng J, Sayama K, Koide T, Teratani T, Mikami Y, Takabayashi K, Nakamoto N, Hosoe N, London M, Ogata H, Mucida D, Taniuchi I, Kanai T. Downregulation of chemokine receptor 9 facilitates CD4 +CD8αα + intraepithelial lymphocyte development. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5152. [PMID: 37620389 PMCID: PMC10449822 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40950-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) reside in the gut epithelial layer, where they help in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Peripheral CD4+ T cells can develop into CD4+CD8αα+ IELs upon arrival at the gut epithelium via the lamina propria (LP). Although this specific differentiation of T cells is well established, the mechanisms preventing it from occurring in the LP remain unclear. Here, we show that chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9) expression is low in epithelial CD4+CD8αα+ IELs, but CCR9 deficiency results in CD4+CD8αα+ over-differentiation in both the epithelium and the LP. Single-cell RNA sequencing shows an enriched precursor cell cluster for CD4+CD8αα+ IELs in Ccr9-/- mice. CD4+ T cells isolated from the epithelium of Ccr9-/- mice also display increased expression of Cbfβ2, and the genomic occupancy modification of Cbfβ2 expression reveals its important function in CD4+CD8αα+ differentiation. These results implicate a link between CCR9 downregulation and Cbfb2 splicing upregulation to enhance CD4+CD8αα+ IEL differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Ono
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomohisa Sujino
- Center for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Endoscopy, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kentaro Miyamoto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Research Laboratory, Miyarisan Pharmaceutical Co., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yosuke Harada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kojo
- Laboratory for Transcriptional Regulation, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
- Division of Immunology and Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yusuke Yoshimatsu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shun Tanemoto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuzo Koda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Jiawen Zheng
- Laboratory for Transcriptional Regulation, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kazutoshi Sayama
- Applied Life Science Course, College of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Koide
- Mouse Genomics Resource Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Teratani
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yohei Mikami
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaoru Takabayashi
- Center for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Endoscopy, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Nakamoto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoki Hosoe
- Center for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Endoscopy, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mariya London
- Laboratory of Mucosal Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Haruhiko Ogata
- Center for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Endoscopy, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daniel Mucida
- Laboratory of Mucosal Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Ichiro Taniuchi
- Laboratory for Transcriptional Regulation, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takanori Kanai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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MacNabb BW, Rothenberg EV. Speed and navigation control of thymocyte development by the fetal T-cell gene regulatory network. Immunol Rev 2023; 315:171-196. [PMID: 36722494 PMCID: PMC10771342 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
T-cell differentiation is a tightly regulated developmental program governed by interactions between transcription factors (TFs) and chromatin landscapes and affected by signals received from the thymic stroma. This process is marked by a series of checkpoints: T-lineage commitment, T-cell receptor (TCR)β selection, and positive and negative selection. Dynamically changing combinations of TFs drive differentiation along the T-lineage trajectory, through mechanisms that have been most extensively dissected in adult mouse T-lineage cells. However, fetal T-cell development differs from adult in ways that suggest that these TF mechanisms are not fully deterministic. The first wave of fetal T-cell differentiation occurs during a unique developmental window during thymic morphogenesis, shows more rapid kinetics of differentiation with fewer rounds of cell division, and gives rise to unique populations of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) and invariant γδT cells that are not generated in the adult thymus. As the characteristic kinetics and progeny biases are cell-intrinsic properties of thymic progenitors, the differences could be based on distinct TF network circuitry within the progenitors themselves. Here, we review recent single-cell transcriptome data that illuminate the TF networks involved in T-cell differentiation in the fetal and adult mouse thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan W MacNabb
- Division of Biology & Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Ellen V Rothenberg
- Division of Biology & Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
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Parathyroid Cell Differentiation from Progenitor Cells and Stem Cells: Development, Molecular Mechanism, Function, and Tissue Engineering. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1387:13-24. [PMID: 34981451 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2021_694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Parathyroid glands are endocrine organs which are located posterior to thyroid glands and control secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in order to regulate blood calcium level. PTH maintains calcium homeostasis by acting on the bone, kidney, and small intestine. PTH deficiency leads to chronic hypocalcemia, organ calcinosis, kidney and heart failure, painful muscle spasms, neuromuscular problems, and memory problems. Since parathyroid cells have inadequate proliferation potential in culture conditions, their utilization as a cellular therapy option is very limited. Although studies conducted so far include parathyroid cell differentiation from various cell types, problems related to successful cellular differentiation and transplantation still remain. Recently, parathyroid tissue engineering has attracted attention as a potential treatment for the parathyroid-related diseases caused by hypoparathyroidism. Although major progression is made in the construction of tissue engineering protocols using parathyroid cells and biomaterials, PTH secretion to mimic its spontaneous harmony in the body is a challenge. This chapter comprehensively defines the derivation of parathyroid cells from various cell sources including pluripotent stem cells, molecular mechanisms, and tissue engineering applications.
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Guo R, Li W, Li Y, Li Y, Jiang Z, Song Y. Generation and clinical potential of functional T lymphocytes from gene-edited pluripotent stem cells. Exp Hematol Oncol 2022; 11:27. [PMID: 35568954 PMCID: PMC9107657 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-022-00285-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineered T cells have been shown to be highly effective in cancer immunotherapy, although T cell exhaustion presents a challenge for their long-term function. Additional T-cell sources must be exploited to broaden the application of engineered T cells for immune defense and reconstitution. Unlimited sources of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have provided a potential opportunity to generate precise-engineered therapeutic induced T (iT) cells. Single-cell transcriptome analysis of PSC-derived induced hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (iHSPC)/iT identified the developmental pathways and possibilities of generating functional T cell from PSCs. To date, the PSC-to-iT platforms encounter several problems, including low efficiency of conventional T subset specification, limited functional potential, and restrictions on large-scale application, because of the absence of a thymus-like organized microenvironment. The updated PSC-to-iT platforms, such as the three-dimensional (3D) artificial thymic organoid (ATO) co-culture system and Runx1/Hoxa9-enforced iT lymphopoiesis, provide fresh perspectives for coordinating culture conditions and transcription factors, which may greatly improve the efficiency of T-cell generation greatly. In addition, the improved PSC-to-iT platform coordinating gene editing technologies will provide various functional engineered unconventional or conventional T cells. Furthermore, the clinical applications of PSC-derived immune cells are accelerating from bench to bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongqun Guo
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Yadan Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.,Academy of Medical Science, Henan Medical College of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Yingmei Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Zhongxing Jiang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
| | - Yongping Song
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
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Handel AE, Cheuk S, Dhalla F, Maio S, Hübscher T, Rota I, Deadman ME, Ekwall O, Lütolf M, Weinberg K, Holländer G. Developmental dynamics of the neural crest-mesenchymal axis in creating the thymic microenvironment. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm9844. [PMID: 35559672 PMCID: PMC9106291 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm9844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The thymic stroma is composed of epithelial and nonepithelial cells providing separate microenvironments controlling homing, differentiation, and selection of hematopoietic precursor cells to functional T cells. Here, we explore at single-cell resolution the complex composition and dynamic changes of the nonepithelial stromal compartment across different developmental stages in the human and mouse thymus, and in an experimental model of the DiGeorge syndrome, the most common form of human thymic hypoplasia. The detected gene expression signatures identify previously unknown stromal subtypes and relate their individual molecular profiles to separate differentiation trajectories and functions, revealing an unprecedented heterogeneity of different cell types that emerge at discrete developmental stages and vary in their expression of key regulatory signaling circuits and extracellular matrix components. Together, these findings highlight the dynamic complexity of the nonepithelial thymus stroma and link this to separate instructive roles essential for normal thymus organogenesis and tissue maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam E. Handel
- Department of Paediatrics and the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Stanley Cheuk
- Department of Paediatrics and the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Fatima Dhalla
- Department of Paediatrics and the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Stefano Maio
- Department of Paediatrics and the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Tania Hübscher
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ioanna Rota
- Department of Paediatrics and the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mary E. Deadman
- Department of Paediatrics and the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Olov Ekwall
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Matthias Lütolf
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kenneth Weinberg
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Georg Holländer
- Department of Paediatrics and the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Paediatric Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Children’s Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
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11
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Fujimori S, Ohigashi I, Abe H, Matsushita Y, Katagiri T, Taketo MM, Takahama Y, Takada S. Fine-tuning of β-catenin in mouse thymic epithelial cells is required for postnatal T-cell development. eLife 2022; 11:69088. [PMID: 35042581 PMCID: PMC8769649 DOI: 10.7554/elife.69088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In the thymus, the thymic epithelium provides a microenvironment essential for the development of functionally competent and self-tolerant T cells. Previous findings showed that modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in mouse thymic epithelial cells (TECs) disrupts embryonic thymus organogenesis. However, the role of β-catenin in TECs for postnatal T-cell development remains to be elucidated. Here, we analyzed gain-of-function (GOF) and loss-of-function (LOF) of β-catenin highly specific in mouse TECs. We found that GOF of β-catenin in TECs results in severe thymic dysplasia and T-cell deficiency beginning from the embryonic period. By contrast, LOF of β-catenin in TECs reduces the number of cortical TECs and thymocytes modestly and only postnatally. These results indicate that fine-tuning of β-catenin expression within a permissive range is required for TECs to generate an optimal microenvironment to support postnatal T-cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayumi Fujimori
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University
- National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences
| | - Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University
| | - Hayato Abe
- Student Laboratory, School of Medicine, Tokushima University
| | - Yosuke Matsushita
- Division of Genome Medicine, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University
| | - Toyomasa Katagiri
- Division of Genome Medicine, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University
| | - Makoto M Taketo
- Institute for Advancement of Clinical and Translational Science, Kyoto University Hospital
| | - Yousuke Takahama
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
| | - Shinji Takada
- National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences
- Department of Basic Biology in the School of Life Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI)
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12
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Wakitani S, Kawabata R, Yasuda M. Insufficiency of CD205-positive cortical thymic epithelial cells in immature Japanese Black cattle with severe thymic abnormalities and poor prognosis. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2022; 245:110379. [PMID: 35038635 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2021.110379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the involvement of thymic function in the development of diseases with poor prognosis in calves, this study conducted a survey for the assessment of thymus cell composition in immature Japanese Black cattle with poor prognosis. Histopathological evaluation of 47 cattle showed signs of acute thymic involution in most cases. Less than half of the cases had a cortex predominant over the medulla in the thymic parenchyma, and a quarter of the cases indicated severe histological condition with an unclear boundary between the cortex and medulla. Correlation analysis revealed a close relationship between the corresponding stages of acute involution, cortical occupancy, and the expression of CD4, CD8B, and CD205. When cases were grouped by cortical occupancy, the expression of CD4 and CD8B expression was lower in the severe group with less than 25 % cortical occupancy, and the expression of CD205 was lower in the group with an unclear cortical-medullary boundary. Meanwhile, there was no difference in the expressions of IL7, CD80, FEZF2, and FOXN1 according to cortical occupancy. Immunohistochemistry has shown that cytokeratin-positive thymic epithelial cells are more densely populated in the severe thymus. UEA-I-binding medullary thymic epithelial cells were also present, but CD205-positive cortical thymic epithelial cells were rare in severe thymus. Moreover, there were significantly fewer Ki-67-positive cells in cattle with severe thymus. Therefore, these results indicate that thymic histological abnormalities frequently occur in immature cattle with a poor prognosis, and the presence of CD205-positive cortical thymic epithelial cells is associated with the severity of the abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoichi Wakitani
- Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, 1-1 Gakuenkibanadai-nishi, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan.
| | - Risako Kawabata
- Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, 1-1 Gakuenkibanadai-nishi, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
| | - Masahiro Yasuda
- Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, 1-1 Gakuenkibanadai-nishi, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
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13
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Park J, Kim CH. Regulation of common neurological disorders by gut microbial metabolites. Exp Mol Med 2021; 53:1821-1833. [PMID: 34857900 PMCID: PMC8741890 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-021-00703-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut is connected to the CNS by immunological mediators, lymphocytes, neurotransmitters, microbes and microbial metabolites. A mounting body of evidence indicates that the microbiome exerts significant effects on immune cells and CNS cells. These effects frequently result in the suppression or exacerbation of inflammatory responses, the latter of which can lead to severe tissue damage, altered synapse formation and disrupted maintenance of the CNS. Herein, we review recent progress in research on the microbial regulation of CNS diseases with a focus on major gut microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, tryptophan metabolites, and secondary bile acids. Pathological changes in the CNS are associated with dysbiosis and altered levels of microbial metabolites, which can further exacerbate various neurological disorders. The cellular and molecular mechanisms by which these gut microbial metabolites regulate inflammatory diseases in the CNS are discussed. We highlight the similarities and differences in the impact on four major CNS diseases, i.e., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and autism spectrum disorder, to identify common cellular and molecular networks governing the regulation of cellular constituents and pathogenesis in the CNS by microbial metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeongho Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang H Kim
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
- Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Center, Center for Gastrointestinal Research, and Rogel Center for Cancer Research, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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14
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Liu C, Gong Y, Zhang H, Yang H, Zeng Y, Bian Z, Xin Q, Bai Z, Zhang M, He J, Yan J, Zhou J, Li Z, Ni Y, Wen A, Lan Y, Hu H, Liu B. Delineating spatiotemporal and hierarchical development of human fetal innate lymphoid cells. Cell Res 2021; 31:1106-1122. [PMID: 34239074 PMCID: PMC8486758 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-021-00529-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Whereas the critical roles of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in adult are increasingly appreciated, their developmental hierarchy in early human fetus remains largely elusive. In this study, we sorted human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, lymphoid progenitors, putative ILC progenitor/precursors and mature ILCs in the fetal hematopoietic, lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues, from 8 to 12 post-conception weeks, for single-cell RNA-sequencing, followed by computational analysis and functional validation at bulk and single-cell levels. We delineated the early phase of ILC lineage commitment from hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, which mainly occurred in fetal liver and intestine. We further unveiled interleukin-3 receptor as a surface marker for the lymphoid progenitors in fetal liver with T, B, ILC and myeloid potentials, while IL-3RA- lymphoid progenitors were predominantly B-lineage committed. Notably, we determined the heterogeneity and tissue distribution of each ILC subpopulation, revealing the proliferating characteristics shared by the precursors of each ILC subtype. Additionally, a novel unconventional ILC2 subpopulation (CRTH2- CCR9+ ILC2) was identified in fetal thymus. Taken together, our study illuminates the precise cellular and molecular features underlying the stepwise formation of human fetal ILC hierarchy with remarkable spatiotemporal heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yandong Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Han Zhang
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Daping Hospital, Army Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hua Yang
- Tianjin Central Hospital of Gynecology Obstetrics, Tianjin, China
| | - Yang Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhilei Bian
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhijie Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Man Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jian He
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zongcheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yanli Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Aiqing Wen
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Daping Hospital, Army Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Yu Lan
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Hongbo Hu
- Center for Immunology and Hematology, the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University. Collaboration and Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China.
| | - Bing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
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15
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Han J, Zúñiga-Pflücker JC. A 2020 View of Thymus Stromal Cells in T Cell Development. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 206:249-256. [PMID: 33397738 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The thymus is an intricate primary lymphoid organ, wherein bone marrow-derived lymphoid progenitor cells are induced to develop into functionally competent T cells that express a diverse TCR repertoire, which is selected to allow for the recognition of foreign Ags while avoiding self-reactivity or autoimmunity. Thymus stromal cells, which can include all non-T lineage cells, such as thymic epithelial cells, endothelial cells, mesenchymal/fibroblast cells, dendritic cells, and B cells, provide signals that are essential for thymocyte development as well as for the homeostasis of the thymic stroma itself. In this brief review, we focus on the key roles played by thymic stromal cells during early stages of T cell development, such as promoting the homing of thymic-seeding progenitors, inducing T lineage differentiation, and supporting thymocyte survival and proliferation. We also discuss recent advances on the transcriptional regulation that govern thymic epithelial cell function as well as the cellular and molecular changes that are associated with thymic involution and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxun Han
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada; and
| | - Juan Carlos Zúñiga-Pflücker
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada; and.,Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
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16
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Tan L, Fichtner AS, Bruni E, Odak I, Sandrock I, Bubke A, Borchers A, Schultze-Florey C, Koenecke C, Förster R, Jarek M, von Kaisenberg C, Schulz A, Chu X, Zhang B, Li Y, Panzer U, Krebs CF, Ravens S, Prinz I. A fetal wave of human type 3 effector γδ cells with restricted TCR diversity persists into adulthood. Sci Immunol 2021; 6:6/58/eabf0125. [PMID: 33893173 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abf0125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that the mouse embryonic thymus produces distinct waves of innate effector γδ T cells. However, it is unclear whether this process occurs similarly in humans and whether it comprises a dedicated subset of innate-like type 3 effector γδ T cells. Here, we present a protocol for high-throughput sequencing of TRG and TRD pairs that comprise the clonal γδTCR. In combination with single-cell RNA sequencing, multiparameter flow cytometry, and TCR sequencing, we reveal a high heterogeneity of γδ T cells sorted from neonatal and adult blood that correlated with TCR usage. Immature γδ T cell clusters displayed mixed and diverse TCRs, but effector cell types segregated according to the expression of either highly expanded individual Vδ1+ TCRs or moderately expanded semi-invariant Vγ9Vδ2+ TCRs. The Vγ9Vδ2+ T cells shared expression of genes that mark innate-like T cells, including ZBTB16 (encoding PLZF), KLRB1, and KLRC1, but consisted of distinct clusters with unrelated Vγ9Vδ2+ TCR clones characterized either by TBX21, FCGR3A, and cytotoxicity-associated gene expression (type 1) or by CCR6, RORC, IL23R, and DPP4 expression (type 3). Effector γδ T cells with type 1 and type 3 innate T cell signatures were detected in a public dataset of early embryonic thymus organogenesis. Together, this study suggests that functionally distinct waves of human innate-like effector γδ T cells with semi-invariant Vγ9Vδ2+ TCR develop in the early fetal thymus and persist into adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Likai Tan
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Systems Immunology, Hamburg Center for Translational Immunology (HCTI), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Elena Bruni
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Ivan Odak
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Inga Sandrock
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Anja Bubke
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Alina Borchers
- Translational Immunology, III. Department of Medicine, Hamburg Center for Translational Immunology (HCTI), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Schultze-Florey
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany.,Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian Koenecke
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany.,Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Reinhold Förster
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Jarek
- Genome Analytics, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Constantin von Kaisenberg
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ansgar Schulz
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Xiaojing Chu
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.,Department of Computational Biology for Individualised Medicine TWINCORE, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bowen Zhang
- Department of Computational Biology for Individualised Medicine TWINCORE, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Yang Li
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Department of Computational Biology for Individualised Medicine TWINCORE, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ulf Panzer
- Translational Immunology, III. Department of Medicine, Hamburg Center for Translational Immunology (HCTI), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian F Krebs
- Translational Immunology, III. Department of Medicine, Hamburg Center for Translational Immunology (HCTI), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sarina Ravens
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Immo Prinz
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany. .,Institute of Systems Immunology, Hamburg Center for Translational Immunology (HCTI), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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17
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Paiva RA, Sousa AGG, Ramos CV, Ávila M, Lilue J, Paixão T, Martins VC. Self-renewal of double-negative 3 early thymocytes enables thymus autonomy but compromises the β-selection checkpoint. Cell Rep 2021; 35:108967. [PMID: 33852867 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
T lymphocyte differentiation in the steady state is characterized by high cellular turnover whereby thymocytes do not self-renew. However, if deprived of competent progenitors, the thymus can temporarily maintain thymopoiesis autonomously. This bears a heavy cost, because prolongation of thymus autonomy causes leukemia. Here, we show that, at an early stage, thymus autonomy relies on double-negative 3 early (DN3e) thymocytes that acquire stem-cell-like properties. Following competent progenitor deprivation, DN3e thymocytes become long lived, are required for thymus autonomy, differentiate in vivo, and include DNA-label-retaining cells. At the single-cell level, the transcriptional programs of thymopoiesis in autonomy and the steady state are similar. However, a new cell population emerges in autonomy that expresses an aberrant Notch target gene signature and bypasses the β-selection checkpoint. In summary, DN3e thymocytes have the potential to self-renew and differentiate in vivo if cell competition is impaired, but this generates atypical cells, probably the precursors of leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael A Paiva
- Lymphocyte Development and Leukemogenesis Laboratory, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Oeiras 2780-156, Portugal
| | - António G G Sousa
- Bioinformatics Unit, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Oeiras 2780-156, Portugal
| | - Camila V Ramos
- Lymphocyte Development and Leukemogenesis Laboratory, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Oeiras 2780-156, Portugal
| | - Mariana Ávila
- Lymphocyte Development and Leukemogenesis Laboratory, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Oeiras 2780-156, Portugal
| | - Jingtao Lilue
- Bioinformatics Unit, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Oeiras 2780-156, Portugal
| | - Tiago Paixão
- Quantitative and Digital Science Unit, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Oeiras 2780-156, Portugal
| | - Vera C Martins
- Lymphocyte Development and Leukemogenesis Laboratory, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Oeiras 2780-156, Portugal.
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18
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Han J, Zúñiga-Pflücker JC. High-Oxygen Submersion Fetal Thymus Organ Cultures Enable FOXN1-Dependent and -Independent Support of T Lymphopoiesis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:652665. [PMID: 33859647 PMCID: PMC8043069 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.652665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
T cell development is effectively supported in fetal thymus organ cultures (FTOCs), which places thymus lobes atop an air-liquid interface (ALI) culture system. The direct exposure to air is critical for its success, as fetal thymus lobes placed in low oxygen submersion (LOS)-FTOCs fail to support thymocyte development. However, submersion cultures performed in the presence of high concentration of ambient oxygen (60~80%) allow for normal thymocyte development, but the underlying mechanism for this rescue has remained elusive. Here, we show that FOXN1 expression in thymic epithelial cells (TECs) from LOS-FTOCs was greatly reduced compared to conventional ALI-FTOCs. Consequently, the expression of important FOXN1 target genes, including Dll4 and Ccl25, in TECs was extinguished. The loss of DLL4 and CCL25 interrupted thymocyte differentiation and led to CD4+CD8+ cells exiting the lobes, respectively. High oxygen submersion (HOS)-FTOCs restored the expression of FOXN1 and its target genes, as well as maintained high levels of MHCII expression in TECs. In addition, HOS-FTOCs promoted the self-renewal of CD4−CD8−CD44−CD25+ cells, allowing for the continuous generation of later stage thymocytes. Forced FOXN1 expression in TECs rescued thymocyte developmental progression, but not cellularity, in LOS-FTOCs. Given that oxidative stress has been reported to accelerate the onset of age-associated thymic involution, we postulate that regulation of FOXN1 by oxygen and antioxidants may underpin this biological process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxun Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Juan Carlos Zúñiga-Pflücker
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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19
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Swan G, Geng J, Park E, Ding Q, Zhou J, Walcott C, Zhang JJ, Huang HI, Hammer GE, Wang D. A Requirement of Protein Geranylgeranylation for Chemokine Receptor Signaling and Th17 Cell Function in an Animal Model of Multiple Sclerosis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:641188. [PMID: 33828552 PMCID: PMC8019753 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.641188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Precisely controlled lymphocyte migration is critically required for immune surveillance and successful immune responses. Lymphocyte migration is strictly regulated by chemokines and chemokine receptors. Here we show that protein geranylgeranylation, a form of post-translational protein lipid modification, is required for chemokine receptor-proximal signaling. Mature thymocytes deficient for protein geranylgeranylation are impaired for thymus egress. Circulating mature T cells lacking protein geranylgeranylation fail to home to secondary lymphoid organs or to transmigrate in response to chemokines in vitro. Mechanistically, protein geranylgeranylation modifies the γ-subunits of the heterotrimeric small GTPases that are essential for chemokine receptor signaling. In addition, protein geranylgeranylation also promotes the differentiation of IL-17-producing T helper cells while inhibiting the differentiation of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. Finally, mice with T cell lineage-specific deficiency of protein geranylgeranylation are resistant to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis induction. This study elucidated a critical role of protein geranylgeranylation in regulating T lymphocyte migration and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Swan
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Jia Geng
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Eunchong Park
- Department of Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Quanquan Ding
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - John Zhou
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Ciana Walcott
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Junyi J. Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Hsin-I Huang
- Department of Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Gianna Elena Hammer
- Department of Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Donghai Wang
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
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20
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James KD, Jenkinson WE, Anderson G. Non-Epithelial Stromal Cells in Thymus Development and Function. Front Immunol 2021; 12:634367. [PMID: 33717173 PMCID: PMC7946857 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.634367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus supports T-cell development via specialized microenvironments that ensure a diverse, functional and self-tolerant T-cell population. These microenvironments are classically defined as distinct cortex and medulla regions that each contain specialized subsets of stromal cells. Extensive research on thymic epithelial cells (TEC) within the cortex and medulla has defined their essential roles during T-cell development. Significantly, there are additional non-epithelial stromal cells (NES) that exist alongside TEC within thymic microenvironments, including multiple subsets of mesenchymal and endothelial cells. In contrast to our current understanding of TEC biology, the developmental origins, lineage relationships, and functional properties, of NES remain poorly understood. However, experimental evidence suggests these cells are important for thymus function by either directly influencing T-cell development, or by indirectly regulating TEC development and/or function. Here, we focus attention on the contribution of NES to thymic microenvironments, including their phenotypic identification and functional classification, and explore their impact on thymus function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran D James
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - William E Jenkinson
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Graham Anderson
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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21
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Deng Y, Chen H, Zeng Y, Wang K, Zhang H, Hu H. Leaving no one behind: tracing every human thymocyte by single-cell RNA-sequencing. Semin Immunopathol 2021; 43:29-43. [PMID: 33449155 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-020-00834-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is the primary organ for T-cell development, providing an essential microenvironment consisting of the appropriate cytokine milieu and specialized stromal cells. Thymus-seeding progenitors from circulation immigrate into the thymus and undergo the stepwise T-cell specification, commitment, and selection processes. The transcriptional factors, epigenetic regulators, and signaling pathways involved in the T-cell development have been intensively studied using mouse models. Despite our growing knowledge of T-cell development, major questions remain unanswered regarding the ontogeny and early events of T-cell development at the fetal stage, especially in humans. The recently developed single-cell RNA-sequencing technique provides an ideal tool to investigate the heterogeneity of T-cell precursors and the molecular mechanisms underlying the divergent fates of certain T-cell precursors at the single-cell level. In this review, we aim to summarize the current progress of the study on human thymus organogenesis and thymocyte and thymic epithelial cell development, which is to shed new lights on developing novel strategies for in vitro T-cell regeneration and thymus rejuvenation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujun Deng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100071, China.,State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Keyue Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Huiyuan Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China.
| | - Hongbo Hu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China.
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22
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Nitta T, Takayanagi H. Non-Epithelial Thymic Stromal Cells: Unsung Heroes in Thymus Organogenesis and T Cell Development. Front Immunol 2021; 11:620894. [PMID: 33519827 PMCID: PMC7840694 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.620894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The stromal microenvironment in the thymus is essential for generating a functional T cell repertoire. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are numerically and phenotypically one of the most prominent stromal cell types in the thymus, and have been recognized as one of most unusual cell types in the body by virtue of their unique functions in the course of the positive and negative selection of developing T cells. In addition to TECs, there are other stromal cell types of mesenchymal origin, such as fibroblasts and endothelial cells. These mesenchymal stromal cells are not only components of the parenchymal and vascular architecture, but also have a pivotal role in controlling TEC development, although their functions have been less extensively explored than TECs. Here, we review both the historical studies on and recent advances in our understanding of the contribution of such non-TEC stromal cells to thymic organogenesis and T cell development. In particular, we highlight the recently discovered functional effect of thymic fibroblasts on T cell repertoire selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Nitta
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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23
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James KD, Legler DF, Purvanov V, Ohigashi I, Takahama Y, Parnell SM, White AJ, Jenkinson WE, Anderson G. Medullary stromal cells synergize their production and capture of CCL21 for T-cell emigration from neonatal mouse thymus. Blood Adv 2021; 5:99-112. [PMID: 33570638 PMCID: PMC7805325 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020003192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The release of newly selected αβT cells from the thymus is key in establishing a functional adaptive immune system. Emigration of the first cohorts of αβT cells produced during the neonatal period is of particular importance, because it initiates formation of the peripheral αβT-cell pool and provides immune protection early in life. Despite this, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of thymus emigration are poorly understood. We examined the involvement of diverse stromal subsets and individual chemokine ligands in this process. First, we demonstrated functional dichotomy in the requirement for CCR7 ligands and identified CCL21, but not CCL19, as an important regulator of neonatal thymus emigration. To explain this ligand-specific requirement, we examined sites of CCL21 production and action and found Ccl21 gene expression and CCL21 protein distribution occurred within anatomically distinct thymic areas. Although Ccl21 transcription was limited to subsets of medullary epithelium, CCL21 protein was captured by mesenchymal stroma consisting of integrin α7+ pericytes and CD34+ adventitial cells at sites of thymic exit. This chemokine compartmentalization involved the heparan sulfate-dependent presentation of CCL21 via its C-terminal extension, explaining the absence of a requirement for CCL19, which lacks this domain and failed to be captured by thymic stroma. Collectively, we identified an important role for CCL21 in neonatal thymus emigration, revealing the importance of this chemokine in initial formation of the peripheral immune system. Moreover, we identified an intrathymic mechanism involving cell-specific production and presentation of CCL21, which demonstrated a functional synergy between thymic epithelial and mesenchymal cells for αβT-cell emigration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran D James
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel F Legler
- Biotechnology Institute Thurgau, University of Konstanz, Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan; and
| | - Yousuke Takahama
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Sonia M Parnell
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea J White
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - William E Jenkinson
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Graham Anderson
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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24
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Ramos CV, Ballesteros-Arias L, Silva JG, Paiva RA, Nogueira MF, Carneiro J, Gjini E, Martins VC. Cell Competition, the Kinetics of Thymopoiesis, and Thymus Cellularity Are Regulated by Double-Negative 2 to 3 Early Thymocytes. Cell Rep 2020; 32:107910. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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25
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Chen Y, Chen Y, Yin W, Han H, Miller H, Li J, Herrada AA, Kubo M, Sui Z, Gong Q, Liu C. The regulation of DOCK family proteins on T and B cells. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 109:383-394. [PMID: 32542827 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.1mr0520-221rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The dedicator of cytokinesis (DOCK) family proteins consist of 11 members, each of which contains 2 domains, DOCK homology region (DHR)-1 and DHR-2, and as guanine nucleotide exchange factors, they mediate activation of small GTPases. Both DOCK2 and DOCK8 deficiencies in humans can cause severe combined immunodeficiency, but they have different characteristics. DOCK8 defect mainly causes high IgE, allergic disease, refractory skin virus infection, and increased incidence of malignant tumor, whereas DOCK2 defect mainly causes early-onset, invasive infection with less atopy and increased IgE. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms causing the disease remain unclear. This paper discusses the role of DOCK family proteins in regulating B and T cells, including development, survival, migration, activation, immune tolerance, and immune functions. Moreover, related signal pathways or molecule mechanisms are also described in this review. A greater understanding of DOCK family proteins and their regulation of lymphocyte functions may facilitate the development of new therapeutics for immunodeficient patients and improve their prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Chen
- The Second Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Wei Yin
- Wuhan Children's Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong Han
- Department of Hematology of Liyuan Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Heather Miller
- The Laboratory of Intracellular Parasites, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Jianrong Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Andres A Herrada
- Lymphatic and Inflammation Research Laboratory, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidad Autonoma de Chile, Talca, Chile
| | - Masato Kubo
- Laboratory for Cytokine Regulation, Center for Integrative Medical Science (IMS), RIKEN Yokohama Institute, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Zhiwei Sui
- Division of Medical and Biological Measurement, National Institute of Metrology, Beijing, China
| | - Quan Gong
- Department of immunology, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China.,Clinical Molecular Immunology Center, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Chaohong Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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26
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Alawam AS, Anderson G, Lucas B. Generation and Regeneration of Thymic Epithelial Cells. Front Immunol 2020; 11:858. [PMID: 32457758 PMCID: PMC7221188 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The thymus is unique in its ability to support the maturation of phenotypically and functionally distinct T cell sub-lineages. Through its combined production of MHC-restricted conventional CD4+ and CD8+, and Foxp3+ regulatory T cells, as well as non-conventional CD1d-restricted iNKT cells and invariant γδT cells, the thymus represents an important orchestrator of immune system development and control. It is now clear that thymus function is largely determined by the availability of stromal microenvironments. These specialized areas emerge during thymus organogenesis and are maintained throughout life. They are formed from both epithelial and mesenchymal components, and collectively they support a stepwise program of thymocyte development. Of these stromal cells, cortical, and medullary thymic epithelial cells represent functional components of thymic microenvironments in both the cortex and medulla. Importantly, a key feature of thymus function is that levels of T cell production are not constant throughout life. Here, multiple physiological factors including aging, stress and pregnancy can have either short- or long-term detrimental impact on rates of thymus function. Here, we summarize our current understanding of the development and function of thymic epithelial cells, and relate this to strategies to protect and/or restore thymic epithelial cell function for therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah S Alawam
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Graham Anderson
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Beth Lucas
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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27
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Lu X, Zhang Y, Liu F, Wang L. Rac2 Regulates the Migration of T Lymphoid Progenitors to the Thymus during Zebrafish Embryogenesis. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 204:2447-2454. [PMID: 32198141 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1901494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The caudal hematopoietic tissue in zebrafish, the equivalent to the fetal liver in mammals, is an intermediate hematopoietic niche for the maintenance and differentiation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells before homing to the thymus and kidney marrow. As one of the ultimate hematopoietic organs, the thymus sustains T lymphopoiesis, which is essential for adaptive immune system. However, the mechanism of prethymic T lymphoid progenitors migrating to the thymus remains elusive. In this study, we identify an Rho GTPase Rac2 as a modulator of T lymphoid progenitor homing to the thymus in zebrafish. rac2-Deficient embryos show the inability of T lymphoid progenitors homing to the thymus because of defective cell-autonomous motility. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that Rac2 regulates homing of T lymphoid progenitor through Pak1-mediated AKT pathway. Taken together, our work reveals an important function of Rac2 in directing T lymphoid progenitor migration to the thymus during zebrafish embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China.,State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; and.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuanlin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China.,State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; and
| | - Feng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; and .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China;
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28
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Zeng Y, Liu C, Gong Y, Bai Z, Hou S, He J, Bian Z, Li Z, Ni Y, Yan J, Huang T, Shi H, Ma C, Chen X, Wang J, Bian L, Lan Y, Liu B, Hu H. Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Resolves Spatiotemporal Development of Pre-thymic Lymphoid Progenitors and Thymus Organogenesis in Human Embryos. Immunity 2019; 51:930-948.e6. [PMID: 31604687 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2019.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Generation of the first T lymphocytes in the human embryo involves the emergence, migration, and thymus seeding of lymphoid progenitors together with concomitant thymus organogenesis, which is the initial step to establish the entire adaptive immune system. However, the cellular and molecular programs regulating this process remain unclear. We constructed a single-cell transcriptional landscape of human early T lymphopoiesis by using cells from multiple hemogenic and hematopoietic sites spanning embryonic and fetal stages. Among heterogenous early thymic progenitors, one subtype shared common features with a subset of lymphoid progenitors in fetal liver that are known as thymus-seeding progenitors. Unbiased bioinformatics analysis identified a distinct type of pre-thymic lymphoid progenitors in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) region. In parallel, we investigated thymic epithelial cell development and potential cell-cell interactions during thymus organogenesis. Together, our data provide insights into human early T lymphopoiesis that prospectively direct T lymphocyte regeneration, which might lead to development of clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Chen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yandong Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Zhijie Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Siyuan Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Jian He
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Zhilei Bian
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health-Guangdong Laboratory (GRMH-GDL), Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Zongcheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yanli Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Jing Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Tao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Hui Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Chunyu Ma
- Department of Gynecology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Xueying Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Rare Disease Center, the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University. Collaboration and Innovation Center for Biotherapy. Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jinyong Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Lihong Bian
- Department of Gynecology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yu Lan
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health-Guangdong Laboratory (GRMH-GDL), Guangzhou 510530, China.
| | - Bing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100071, China; State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing 100071, China; Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin 300020, China.
| | - Hongbo Hu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Rare Disease Center, the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University. Collaboration and Innovation Center for Biotherapy. Chengdu 610041, China.
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29
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Huang Y, Lu Y, He Y, Feng Z, Zhan Y, Huang X, Liu Q, Zhang J, Li H, Huang H, Ma M, Luo L, Li L. Ikzf1 regulates embryonic T lymphopoiesis via Ccr9 and Irf4 in zebrafish. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:16152-16163. [PMID: 31511326 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.009883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ikzf1 is a Krüppel-like zinc-finger transcription factor that plays indispensable roles in T and B cell development. Although the function of Ikzf1 has been studied extensively, the molecular mechanism underlying T lymphopoiesis remains incompletely defined during the embryonic stage. Here we report that the genetic ablation of ikzf1 in mutant zebrafish resulted in abrogated embryonic T lymphopoiesis. This was ascribed to impaired thymic migration, proliferation, and differentiation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). Ccr9a and Irf4a, two indispensable factors in T lymphopoiesis, were the direct targets of Ikzf1 and were absent in the ikzf1 mutants. Genetic deletion of either ccr9a or irf4a in the corresponding mutant embryos led to obvious T cell development deficiency, which was mainly caused by disrupted thymic migration of HSPCs. Restoration of ccr9a in ikzf1 mutants obviously promoted HSPC thymus homing. However, the HSPCs then failed to differentiate into T cells. Additional replenishment of irf4a efficiently induced HSPC proliferation and T cell differentiation. Our findings further demonstrate that Ikzf1 regulates embryonic T lymphopoiesis via Ccr9 and Irf4 and provide new insight into the genetic network of T lymphocyte development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youkui Huang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yafang Lu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yuepeng He
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Zhi Feng
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yandong Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xue Huang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Qin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, China
| | - Hongtao Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Honghui Huang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Ming Ma
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Lingfei Luo
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Li Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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30
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Abstract
A fundamental question in developmental immunology is how bipotential thymocyte precursors generate both CD4+ helper and CD8+ cytotoxic T cell lineages. The MHC specificity of αβ T cell receptors (TCRs) on precursors is closely correlated with cell fate-determining processes, prompting studies to characterize how variations in TCR signaling are linked with genetic programs establishing lineage-specific gene expression signatures, such as exclusive CD4 or CD8 expression. The key transcription factors ThPOK and Runx3 have been identified as mediating development of helper and cytotoxic T cell lineages, respectively. Together with increasing knowledge of epigenetic regulators, these findings have advanced our understanding of the transcription factor network regulating the CD4/CD8 dichotomy. It has also become apparent that CD4+ T cells retain developmental plasticity, allowing them to acquire cytotoxic activity in the periphery. Despite such advances, further studies are necessary to identify the molecular links between TCR signaling and the nuclear machinery regulating expression of ThPOK and Runx3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ichiro Taniuchi
- Laboratory for Transcriptional Regulation, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan;
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31
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Luan R, Liang Z, Zhang Q, Sun L, Zhao Y. Molecular regulatory networks of thymic epithelial cell differentiation. Differentiation 2019; 107:42-49. [PMID: 31238242 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2019.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Functional mature T cells are generated in the thymus. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) provide the essential microenvironment for T cell development and maturation. According to their function and localization, TECs are roughly divided into cortical TECs (cTECs) and medullary TECs (mTECs), which are responsible for positive and negative selection, respectively. This review summarizes the current understanding of TEC biology, the identification of fetal and adult bipotent TEC progenitors, and the signaling pathways that control the development and maturation of TECs. The understanding of the ontogeny, differentiation, maturation and function of cTECs lags behind that of mTECs. Better understanding TEC biology will provide clues about TEC development and the applications of thymus engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Luan
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhanfeng Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liguang Sun
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| | - Yong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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32
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Abstract
The parathyroid glands are essential for regulating calcium homeostasis in the body. The genetic programs that control parathyroid fate specification, morphogenesis, differentiation, and survival are only beginning to be delineated, but are all centered around a key transcription factor, GCM2. Mutations in the Gcm2 gene as well as in several other genes involved in parathyroid organogenesis have been found to cause parathyroid disorders in humans. Therefore, understanding the normal development of the parathyroid will provide insight into the origins of parathyroid disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Peissig
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, 500 DW Brooks Drive, Coverdell Building Suite 270, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Brian G Condie
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, 500 DW Brooks Drive, Coverdell Building Suite 270, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Nancy R Manley
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, 500 DW Brooks Drive, Coverdell Building Suite 270, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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33
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Moretti FA, Klapproth S, Ruppert R, Margraf A, Weber J, Pick R, Scheiermann C, Sperandio M, Fässler R, Moser M. Differential requirement of kindlin-3 for T cell progenitor homing to the non-vascularized and vascularized thymus. eLife 2018; 7:35816. [PMID: 30187863 PMCID: PMC6126919 DOI: 10.7554/elife.35816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of integrin-mediated adhesion during T cell progenitor homing to and differentiation within the thymus is ill-defined, mainly due to functional overlap. To circumvent compensation, we disrupted the hematopoietic integrin regulator kindlin-3 in mice and found a progressive thymus atrophy that is primarily caused by an impaired homing capacity of T cell progenitors to the vascularized thymus. Notably, the low shear flow conditions in the vascular system at midgestation allow kindlin-3-deficient fetal liver-derived T cell progenitors to extravasate via pharyngeal vessels and colonize the avascular thymus primordium. Once in the thymus, kindlin-3 promotes intrathymic T cell proliferation by facilitating the integrin-dependent crosstalk with thymic antigen presenting cells, while intrathymic T cell migration, maturation into single positive CD4 and CD8 T cells and release into the circulation proceed without kindlin-3. Thus, kindlin-3 is dispensable for integrin-mediated T cell progenitor adhesion and signalling at low and indispensable at high shear forces.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Klapproth
- Department Molecular Medicine, Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Raphael Ruppert
- Department Molecular Medicine, Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Andreas Margraf
- Walter Brendel Center of Experimental Medicine, Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Jasmin Weber
- Walter Brendel Center of Experimental Medicine, Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Robert Pick
- Walter Brendel Center of Experimental Medicine, Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Christoph Scheiermann
- Walter Brendel Center of Experimental Medicine, Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Markus Sperandio
- Walter Brendel Center of Experimental Medicine, Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Reinhard Fässler
- Department Molecular Medicine, Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Markus Moser
- Department Molecular Medicine, Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
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34
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Wang C, Liu Z, Xu Z, Wu X, Zhang D, Zhang Z, Wei J. The role of chemokine receptor 9/chemokine ligand 25 signaling: From immune cells to cancer cells. Oncol Lett 2018; 16:2071-2077. [PMID: 30008902 PMCID: PMC6036326 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.8896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemokine ligand 25 (CCL25) and chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9) are important regulators of migration, proliferation and apoptosis in leukocytes and cancer cells. Blocking of the CCR9/CCL25 signal has been demonstrated to be a potential novel cancer therapy. Research into CCR9 and CCL25 has revealed their associated upstream and downstream signaling pathways; CCR9 is regulated by several immunological factors, including NOTCH, interleukin 2, interleukin 4 and retinoic acid. NOTCH in particular, has been revealed to be a crucial upstream regulator of CCR9. Furthermore, proteins including matrix metalloproteinases, P-glycoprotein, Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin and Livin are regulated via phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B, which are in turn stimulated by CCR9/CCL25. This is a review of the current literature on the functions and signaling pathways of CCR9/CCL25.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Wang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai 810001, P.R. China
| | - Zhenghuan Liu
- Department of Urology, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Zhihui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Xian Wu
- Department of Ultrasound, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Dongyang Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Ziqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Jianqin Wei
- The University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33136, USA
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35
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Aghaallaei N, Bajoghli B. Making Thymus Visible: Understanding T-Cell Development from a New Perspective. Front Immunol 2018; 9:375. [PMID: 29552011 PMCID: PMC5840141 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell development is coupled with a highly ordered migratory pattern. Lymphoid progenitors must follow a precise journey; starting from the hematopoietic tissue, they move toward the thymus and then migrate into and out of distinct thymic microenvironments, where they receive signals and cues required for their differentiation into naïve T-cells. Knowing where, when, and how these cells make directional “decisions” is key to understanding T-cell development. Such insights can be gained by directly observing developing T-cells within their environment under various conditions and following specific experimental manipulations. In the last decade, several model systems have been developed to address temporal and spatial aspects of T-cell development using imaging approaches. In this perspective article, we discuss the advantages and limitations of these systems and highlight a particularly powerful in vivo model that has been recently established. This model system enables the migratory behavior of all thymocytes to be studied simultaneously in a noninvasive and quantitative manner, making it possible to perform systems-level studies that reveal fundamental principles governing T-cell dynamics during development and in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narges Aghaallaei
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Immunology, Rheumatology and Pulmonology, University Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Baubak Bajoghli
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Immunology, Rheumatology and Pulmonology, University Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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36
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Tenno M, Kojo S, Lawir DF, Hess I, Shiroguchi K, Ebihara T, Endo TA, Muroi S, Satoh R, Kawamoto H, Boehm T, Taniuchi I. Cbfβ2 controls differentiation of and confers homing capacity to prethymic progenitors. J Exp Med 2018; 215:595-610. [PMID: 29343500 PMCID: PMC5789415 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20171221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 10/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tenno et al. show that an evolutionarily conserved alternative splicing event in the Cbfb gene generates Cbfβ2, which forms a functionally distinct transcription factor complex underlying the differentiation of extrathymic T cell progenitors, including induction of the principal thymus-homing receptor, Ccr9. Multipotent hematopoietic progenitors must acquire thymus-homing capacity to initiate T lymphocyte development. Despite its importance, the transcriptional program underlying this process remains elusive. Cbfβ forms transcription factor complexes with Runx proteins, and here we show that Cbfβ2, encoded by an RNA splice variant of the Cbfb gene, is essential for extrathymic differentiation of T cell progenitors. Furthermore, Cbfβ2 endows extrathymic progenitors with thymus-homing capacity by inducing expression of the principal thymus-homing receptor, Ccr9. This occurs via direct binding of Cbfβ2 to cell type–specific enhancers, as is observed in Rorγt induction during differentiation of lymphoid tissue inducer cells by activation of an intronic enhancer. As in mice, an alternative splicing event in zebrafish generates a Cbfβ2-specific mRNA, important for ccr9 expression. Thus, despite phylogenetically and ontogenetically variable sites of origin of T cell progenitors, their robust thymus-homing capacity is ensured by an evolutionarily conserved mechanism emerging from functional diversification of Runx transcription factor complexes by acquisition of a novel splice variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Tenno
- Laboratory for Transcriptional Regulation, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kojo
- Laboratory for Transcriptional Regulation, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Divine-Fondzenyuy Lawir
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max-Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Isabell Hess
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max-Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katsuyuki Shiroguchi
- Laboratory for Immunogenetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.,Laboratory for Integrative Omics, RIKEN Quantitative Biology Center, Osaka, Japan.,Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO), Japan Science and Technology Agency, Saitama, Japan
| | - Takashi Ebihara
- Laboratory for Transcriptional Regulation, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takaho A Endo
- Laboratory for Integrative Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Sawako Muroi
- Laboratory for Transcriptional Regulation, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Rumi Satoh
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Development, RIKEN Center for Allergy and Immunology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kawamoto
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Development, RIKEN Center for Allergy and Immunology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Thomas Boehm
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max-Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ichiro Taniuchi
- Laboratory for Transcriptional Regulation, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
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37
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Genetic and non-genetic determinants of thymic epithelial cell number and function. Sci Rep 2017; 7:10314. [PMID: 28871142 PMCID: PMC5583284 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10746-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is the site of T cell development in vertebrates. In general, the output of T cells is determined by the number of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and their relative thymopoietic activity. Here, we show that the thymopoietic activity of TECs differs dramatically between individual mouse strains. Moreover, in males of some strains, TECs perform better on a per cell basis than their counterparts in females; in other strains, this situation is reversed. Genetic crosses indicate that TEC numbers and thymopoietic capacity are independently controlled. Long-term analysis of functional parameters of TECs after castration provides evidence that the number of Foxn1-expressing TECs directly correlates with thymopoietic activity. Our study highlights potential complications that can arise when comparing parameters of TEC biology across different genetic backgrounds; these could affect the interpretation of the outcomes of interventions aimed at modulating thymic activity in genetically diverse populations, such as humans.
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38
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Lucas B, White AJ, Parnell SM, Henley PM, Jenkinson WE, Anderson G. Progressive Changes in CXCR4 Expression That Define Thymocyte Positive Selection Are Dispensable For Both Innate and Conventional αβT-cell Development. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5068. [PMID: 28698642 PMCID: PMC5505955 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05182-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The ordered migration of immature thymocytes through thymic microenvironments generates both adaptive MHC restricted αβT-cells and innate CD1d-restricted iNKT-cells. While several chemokine receptors and ligands control multiple stages of this process, their involvement during early thymocyte development often precludes direct analysis of potential roles during later developmental stages. For example, because of early lethality of CXCR4-/- mice, and stage-specific requirements for CXCR4 in thymus colonisation and pre-TCR mediated selection, its role in thymic positive selection is unclear. Here we have examined CXCR4-CXCL12 interactions during the maturation of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, including downstream stages of iNKT and αβT-cell development. We show CXCL12 expression is a common feature of cortical thymic epithelial cells, indicating widespread availability throughout the cortex. Moreover, CXCR4 expression by CD4+CD8+ pre-selection thymocytes is progressively downregulated following both MHC and CD1d-restricted thymic selection events. However, using CD4Cre-mediated deletion to bypass its involvement in CD4-CD8- thymocyte development, we show CXCR4 is dispensable for the maintenance and intrathymic positioning of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, and their ability to generate mature αβT-cells and CD1d-restricted iNKT-cells. Collectively, our data define dynamic changes in CXCR4 expression as a marker for intrathymic selection events, and show its role in T-cell development is restricted to pre-CD4+CD8+ stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth Lucas
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, England
| | - Andrea J White
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, England
| | - Sonia M Parnell
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, England
| | - Peter M Henley
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, England
| | - William E Jenkinson
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, England
| | - Graham Anderson
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, England.
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39
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Uddin MM, Ohigashi I, Motosugi R, Nakayama T, Sakata M, Hamazaki J, Nishito Y, Rode I, Tanaka K, Takemoto T, Murata S, Takahama Y. Foxn1-β5t transcriptional axis controls CD8 + T-cell production in the thymus. Nat Commun 2017; 8:14419. [PMID: 28176764 PMCID: PMC5309848 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is an organ that produces functionally competent T cells that protect us from pathogens and malignancies. Foxn1 is a transcription factor that is essential for thymus organogenesis; however, the direct target for Foxn1 to actuate thymic T-cell production is unknown. Here we show that a Foxn1-binding cis-regulatory element promotes the transcription of β5t, which has an essential role in cortical thymic epithelial cells to induce positive selection of functionally competent CD8+ T cells. A point mutation in this genome element results in a defect in β5t expression and CD8+ T-cell production in mice. The results reveal a Foxn1-β5t transcriptional axis that governs CD8+ T-cell production in the thymus. Foxn1 is involved in thymic epithelial cell (TEC) and CD8+ T cell development. Here the authors show this development requires Foxn1 binding proximal to, and inducing transcription of, the gene encoding β5t in cortical TECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Myn Uddin
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Ryo Motosugi
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Tomomi Nakayama
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Mie Sakata
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Jun Hamazaki
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yasumasa Nishito
- Core Technology and Research Center, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Immanuel Rode
- Division of Cellular Immunology, German Cancer Research Center, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Keiji Tanaka
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Takemoto
- Laboratory for Embryology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Shigeo Murata
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yousuke Takahama
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
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40
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Luis TC, Luc S, Mizukami T, Boukarabila H, Thongjuea S, Woll PS, Azzoni E, Giustacchini A, Lutteropp M, Bouriez-Jones T, Vaidya H, Mead AJ, Atkinson D, Böiers C, Carrelha J, Macaulay IC, Patient R, Geissmann F, Nerlov C, Sandberg R, de Bruijn MFTR, Blackburn CC, Godin I, Jacobsen SEW. Initial seeding of the embryonic thymus by immune-restricted lympho-myeloid progenitors. Nat Immunol 2016; 17:1424-1435. [PMID: 27695000 DOI: 10.1038/ni.3576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The final stages of restriction to the T cell lineage occur in the thymus after the entry of thymus-seeding progenitors (TSPs). The identity and lineage potential of TSPs remains unclear. Because the first embryonic TSPs enter a non-vascularized thymic rudiment, we were able to directly image and establish the functional and molecular properties of embryonic thymopoiesis-initiating progenitors (T-IPs) before their entry into the thymus and activation of Notch signaling. T-IPs did not include multipotent stem cells or molecular evidence of T cell-restricted progenitors. Instead, single-cell molecular and functional analysis demonstrated that most fetal T-IPs expressed genes of and had the potential to develop into lymphoid as well as myeloid components of the immune system. Moreover, studies of embryos deficient in the transcriptional regulator RBPJ demonstrated that canonical Notch signaling was not involved in pre-thymic restriction to the T cell lineage or the migration of T-IPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago C Luis
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Sidinh Luc
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom.,Hematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Klinikgatan 26, 221 84, Lund, Sweden.,MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Takuo Mizukami
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Hanane Boukarabila
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Supat Thongjuea
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom.,MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Petter S Woll
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Emanuele Azzoni
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Alice Giustacchini
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Lutteropp
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom.,MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Tiphaine Bouriez-Jones
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Harsh Vaidya
- Institute for Stem Cell Research, MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, EH16 4UU Edinburgh, UK
| | - Adam J Mead
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Deborah Atkinson
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotta Böiers
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Joana Carrelha
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Iain C Macaulay
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Roger Patient
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Frederic Geissmann
- King's College London, Great Maze Pond, SE1 1UL London, UK.,Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 417 East 68(th) Street, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Claus Nerlov
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Rickard Sandberg
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marella F T R de Bruijn
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - C Clare Blackburn
- Institute for Stem Cell Research, MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, EH16 4UU Edinburgh, UK
| | - Isabelle Godin
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1170; Univ Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay; Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant; Villejuif, F-94805, France
| | - Sten Eirik W Jacobsen
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom.,MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom.,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Wallenberg Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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41
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Lucas B, James KD, Cosway EJ, Parnell SM, Tumanov AV, Ware CF, Jenkinson WE, Anderson G. Lymphotoxin β Receptor Controls T Cell Progenitor Entry to the Thymus. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2016; 197:2665-72. [PMID: 27549174 PMCID: PMC5026032 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1601189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The recruitment of lymphoid progenitors to the thymus is essential to sustain T cell production throughout life. Importantly, it also limits T lineage regeneration following bone marrow transplantation, and so contributes to the secondary immunodeficiency that is caused by delayed immune reconstitution. Despite this significance, the mechanisms that control thymus colonization are poorly understood. In this study, we show that in both the steady-state and after bone marrow transplant, lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR) controls entry of T cell progenitors to the thymus. We show that this requirement maps to thymic stroma, further underlining the key importance of this TNFR superfamily member in regulation of thymic microenvironments. Importantly, analysis of the requirement for LTβR in relationship to known regulators of thymus seeding suggests that it acts independently of its regulation of thymus-homing chemokines. Rather, we show that LTβR differentially regulates intrathymic expression of adhesion molecules known to play a role in T cell progenitor entry to the thymus. Finally, Ab-mediated in vivo LTβR stimulation following bone marrow transplant enhances initial thymus recovery and boosts donor-derived T cell numbers, which correlates with increased adhesion molecule expression by thymic stroma. Collectively, we reveal a novel link between LTβR and thymic stromal cells in thymus colonization, and highlight its potential as an immunotherapeutic target to boost T cell reconstitution after transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth Lucas
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Kieran D James
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Emilie J Cosway
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Sonia M Parnell
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | | | - Carl F Ware
- Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases Research Center, Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - William E Jenkinson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Graham Anderson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom;
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42
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Shi Y, Wu W, Chai Q, Li Q, Hou Y, Xia H, Ren B, Xu H, Guo X, Jin C, Lv M, Wang Z, Fu YX, Zhu M. LTβR controls thymic portal endothelial cells for haematopoietic progenitor cell homing and T-cell regeneration. Nat Commun 2016; 7:12369. [PMID: 27493002 PMCID: PMC4980457 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Continuous thymic homing of haematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) via the blood is critical for normal T-cell development. However, the nature and the differentiation programme of specialized thymic endothelial cells (ECs) controlling this process remain poorly understood. Here using conditional gene-deficient mice, we find that lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTβR) directly controls thymic ECs to guide HPC homing. Interestingly, T-cell deficiency or conditional ablation of T-cell-engaged LTβR signalling results in a defect in thymic HPC homing, suggesting the feedback regulation of thymic progenitor homing by thymic products. Furthermore, we identify and characterize a special thymic portal EC population with features that guide HPC homing. LTβR is essential for the differentiation and homeostasis of these thymic portal ECs. Finally, we show that LTβR is required for T-cell regeneration on irradiation-induced thymic injury. Together, these results uncover a cellular and molecular pathway that governs thymic EC differentiation for HPC homing. Lymphoid progenitors migrate from the bone marrow into the thymus to give rise to T and NK cell lineages. Here the authors characterize a lymphotoxin receptor beta-dependent population of thymic endothelial cells that guide lymphoid progenitor homing in the thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoyao Shi
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Weiwei Wu
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qian Chai
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qingqing Li
- Biodynamic Optical Imaging Center, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yu Hou
- Biodynamic Optical Imaging Center, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Huan Xia
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Boyang Ren
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hairong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaohuan Guo
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084 China
| | - Caiwei Jin
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mengjie Lv
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhongnan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yang-Xin Fu
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75235-9072, USA
| | - Mingzhao Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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Vaidya HJ, Briones Leon A, Blackburn CC. FOXN1 in thymus organogenesis and development. Eur J Immunol 2016; 46:1826-37. [PMID: 27378598 PMCID: PMC4988515 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201545814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Revised: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Development of the primary T-cell repertoire takes place in the thymus. The linked processes of T-cell differentiation and T-cell repertoire selection each depend on interactions between thymocytes and thymic stromal cells; in particular, with the epithelial cells of the cortical and medullary thymic compartments (cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells; cTECs and mTECs, respectively). The importance of the thymic epithelial cell lineage in these processes was revealed in part through analysis of nude (nu/nu) mice, which are congenitally hairless and athymic. The nude phenotype results from null mutation of the forkhead transcription factor FOXN1, which has emerged as a pivotal regulator both of thymus development and homeostasis. FOXN1 has been shown to play critical roles in thymus development, function, maintenance, and even regeneration, which positions it as a master regulator of thymic epithelial cell (TEC) differentiation. In this review, we discuss current understanding of the regulation and functions of FOXN1 throughout thymus ontogeny, from the earliest stages of organogenesis through homeostasis to age-related involution, contextualising its significance through reference to other members of the wider Forkhead family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harsh Jayesh Vaidya
- MRC Centre for Regenerative MedicineInstitute for Stem Cell ResearchSchool of Biological SciencesEdinburghUK
| | - Alberto Briones Leon
- MRC Centre for Regenerative MedicineInstitute for Stem Cell ResearchSchool of Biological SciencesEdinburghUK
| | - C. Clare Blackburn
- MRC Centre for Regenerative MedicineInstitute for Stem Cell ResearchSchool of Biological SciencesEdinburghUK
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44
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Schulz O, Hammerschmidt SI, Moschovakis GL, Förster R. Chemokines and Chemokine Receptors in Lymphoid Tissue Dynamics. Annu Rev Immunol 2016; 34:203-42. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-041015-055649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Olga Schulz
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
| | | | | | - Reinhold Förster
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
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45
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Ohigashi I, Kozai M, Takahama Y. Development and developmental potential of cortical thymic epithelial cells. Immunol Rev 2016; 271:10-22. [DOI: 10.1111/imr.12404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental Immunology; Institute for Genome Research; University of Tokushima; Tokushima Japan
| | - Mina Kozai
- Division of Experimental Immunology; Institute for Genome Research; University of Tokushima; Tokushima Japan
| | - Yousuke Takahama
- Division of Experimental Immunology; Institute for Genome Research; University of Tokushima; Tokushima Japan
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46
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Montero-Herradón S, García-Ceca J, Sánchez Del Collado B, Alfaro D, Zapata AG. Eph/ephrin-B-mediated cell-to-cell interactions govern MTS20(+) thymic epithelial cell development. Histochem Cell Biol 2016; 146:167-82. [PMID: 27060907 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-016-1431-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Thymus development is a complex process in which cell-to-cell interactions between thymocytes and thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are essential to allow a proper maturation of both thymic cell components. Although signals that control thymocyte development are well known, mechanisms governing TEC maturation are poorly understood, especially those that regulate the maturation of immature TEC populations during early fetal thymus development. In this study, we show that EphB2-deficient, EphB2LacZ and EphB3-deficient fetal thymuses present a lower number of cells and delayed maturation of DN cell subsets compared to WT values. Moreover, deficits in the production of chemokines, known to be involved in the lymphoid seeding into the thymus, contribute in decreased proportions of intrathymic T cell progenitors (PIRA/B(+)) in the mutant thymuses from early stages of development. These features correlate with increased proportions of MTS20(+) cells but fewer MTS20(-) cells from E13.5 onward in the deficient thymuses, suggesting a delayed development of the first epithelial cells. In addition, in vitro the lack of thymocytes or the blockade of Eph/ephrin-B-mediated cell-to-cell interactions between either thymocytes-TECs or TECs-TECs in E13.5 fetal thymic lobes coursed with increased proportions of MTS20(+) TECs. This confirms, for the first time, that the presence of CD45(+) cells, corresponding at these stages to DN1 and DN2 cells, and Eph/ephrin-B-mediated heterotypic or homotypic cell interactions between thymocytes and TECs, or between TECs and themselves, contribute to the early maturation of MTS20(+) TECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Montero-Herradón
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, C/José Antonio Novais 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier García-Ceca
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, C/José Antonio Novais 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Sánchez Del Collado
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, C/José Antonio Novais 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Alfaro
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, C/José Antonio Novais 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín G Zapata
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, C/José Antonio Novais 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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47
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Ohigashi I, Takahama Y. Flow Cytometry Analysis of Thymic Epithelial Cells and Their Subpopulations. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1323:65-73. [PMID: 26294398 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2809-5_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The parenchyma of the thymus is compartmentalized into the cortex and the medulla, which are constructed by cortical thymic epithelial cells (cortical TECs, cTECs) and medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), respectively. cTECs and mTECs essentially and differentially regulate the development and repertoire selection of T cells. Consequently, the biology of T cell development and selection includes the study of TECs in addition to the study of developing T cells and other hematopoietic cells including dendritic cells. In this chapter, we describe the methods for flow cytometric analysis and sorting of TECs and their subpopulations, including cTECs and mTECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute for Genome Research, University of Tokushima, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
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48
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Jurberg AD, Vasconcelos-Fontes L, Cotta-de-Almeida V. A Tale from TGF-β Superfamily for Thymus Ontogeny and Function. Front Immunol 2015; 6:442. [PMID: 26441956 PMCID: PMC4564722 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple signaling pathways control every aspect of cell behavior, organ formation, and tissue homeostasis throughout the lifespan of any individual. This review takes an ontogenetic view focused on the large superfamily of TGF-β/bone morphogenetic protein ligands to address thymus morphogenesis and function in T cell differentiation. Recent findings on a role of GDF11 for reversing aging-related phenotypes are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnon Dias Jurberg
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil ; Graduate Program in Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
| | - Larissa Vasconcelos-Fontes
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
| | - Vinícius Cotta-de-Almeida
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
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Wang S, He Q, Ma D, Xue Y, Liu F. Irf4 Regulates the Choice between T Lymphoid-Primed Progenitor and Myeloid Lineage Fates during Embryogenesis. Dev Cell 2015; 34:621-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2015.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Revised: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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50
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Chemokine polyreactivity of IL7Rα+CSF-1R+ lympho-myeloid progenitors in the developing fetal liver. Sci Rep 2015; 5:12817. [PMID: 26235516 PMCID: PMC4522655 DOI: 10.1038/srep12817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In murine ontogeny, fetal liver is the major hemato- and B-lymphopoietic site until birth. Hematopoiesis develops in largely non-hematopoietic niches, which provide contacts, chemokines and cytokines that induce migration, residence, proliferation and differentiation of progenitors. Within early multipotent progenitors an IL7Rα+CSF-1R+ subset expressed a mixture of lymphoid- and myeloid-specific genes and differentiated to lymphoid and myeloid lineages in vitro. By contrast, IL7Rα+ cells were lymphoid-committed, and CSF-1R+ cells were erythro-myeloid-restricted. To respond to a multitude of chemokines single biphenotypic cells expressed CXCR4 and as many as five other chemokine receptors. The monopotent IL7Rα+ and CSF-1R+progenitors all expressed CXCR4, and mutually exclusive, more restricted sets of the analysed five chemokine receptors. This study proposes that chemokine polyreactive, cytokine-bipotent and monopotent progenitors transmigrate through LYVE-1high endothelium, attracted by selected chemokines, and reach the IL7- and CSF-1-producing ALCAMhigh mesenchymal niche, attracted by other sets of chemokines, to differentiate to B-lymphoid respectively myeloid cells.
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