1
|
Chaudhry MS, Velardi E, Malard F, van den Brink MRM. Immune Reconstitution after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Time To T Up the Thymus. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 198:40-46. [PMID: 27994167 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1601100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The success of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, a key treatment for many disorders, is intertwined with T cell immune reconstitution. The thymus plays a key role post allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the generation of a broad but self-tolerant T cell repertoire, but it is exquisitely sensitive to a range of insults during the transplant period, including conditioning regimens, corticosteroids, infections, and graft-versus-host disease. Although endogenous thymic repair is possible it is often suboptimal, and there is a need to develop exogenous strategies to help regenerate the thymus. Therapies currently in clinical trials in the transplant setting include keratinocyte growth factor, cytokines (IL-7 and IL-22), and hormonal modulation including sex steroid inhibition and growth hormone administration. Such regenerative strategies may ultimately enable the thymus to play as prominent a role after transplant as it once did in early childhood, allowing a more complete restoration of the T cell compartment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed S Chaudhry
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065
| | - Enrico Velardi
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065
| | - Florent Malard
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065
| | - Marcel R M van den Brink
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065; .,Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065; and.,Department of Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cortese FAB, Aguiar S, Santostasi G. Induced Cell Turnover: A Novel Therapeutic Modality for In Situ Tissue Regeneration. Hum Gene Ther 2017; 28:703-716. [PMID: 28557533 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2016.167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Induced cell turnover (ICT) is a theoretical intervention in which the targeted ablation of damaged, diseased, and/or nonfunctional cells is coupled with replacement by partially differentiated induced pluripotent stem cells in a gradual and multiphasic manner. Tissue-specific ablation can be achieved using pro-apoptotic small molecule cocktails, peptide mimetics, and/or tissue-tropic adeno-associated virus-delivered suicide genes driven by cell type-specific promoters. Replenishment with new cells can be mediated by systemic administration of cells engineered for homing, robustness, and even enhanced function and disease resistance. Otherwise, the controlled release of cells can be achieved using implanted biodegradable scaffolds, hydrogels, and polymer matrixes. In theory, ICT would enable in situ tissue regeneration without the need for surgical transplantation of organs produced ex vivo, and addresses non-transplantable tissues (such as the vasculature, lymph nodes, and the nervous system). This article outlines several complimentary strategies for overcoming barriers to ICT in an effort to stimulate further research at this promising interface of cell therapy, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Albert Bosco Cortese
- 1 Biogerontology Research Foundation, Oxford, United Kingdom .,2 Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University School of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Sebastian Aguiar
- 3 Neurobiology Department, Swammerdam Institute of Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Giovanni Santostasi
- 4 Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University , Chicago, Illinois
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Palchaudhuri R, Saez B, Hoggatt J, Schajnovitz A, Sykes DB, Tate TA, Czechowicz A, Kfoury Y, Ruchika F, Rossi DJ, Verdine GL, Mansour MK, Scadden DT. Non-genotoxic conditioning for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using a hematopoietic-cell-specific internalizing immunotoxin. Nat Biotechnol 2016; 34:738-45. [PMID: 27272386 PMCID: PMC5179034 DOI: 10.1038/nbt.3584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) offers curative therapy for patients with hemoglobinopathies, congenital immunodeficiencies, and other conditions, possibly including AIDS. Autologous HSCT using genetically corrected cells would avoid the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), but the genotoxicity of conditioning remains a substantial barrier to the development of this approach. Here we report an internalizing immunotoxin targeting the hematopoietic-cell-restricted CD45 receptor that effectively conditions immunocompetent mice. A single dose of the immunotoxin, CD45-saporin (SAP), enabled efficient (>90%) engraftment of donor cells and full correction of a sickle-cell anemia model. In contrast to irradiation, CD45-SAP completely avoided neutropenia and anemia, spared bone marrow and thymic niches, enabling rapid recovery of T and B cells, preserved anti-fungal immunity, and had minimal overall toxicity. This non-genotoxic conditioning method may provide an attractive alternative to current conditioning regimens for HSCT in the treatment of non-malignant blood diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Palchaudhuri
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Borja Saez
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jonathan Hoggatt
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amir Schajnovitz
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David B Sykes
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tiffany A Tate
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Agnieszka Czechowicz
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Youmna Kfoury
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fnu Ruchika
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Derrick J Rossi
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gregory L Verdine
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael K Mansour
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David T Scadden
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
As the primary site of T-cell development, the thymus plays a key role in the generation of a strong yet self-tolerant adaptive immune response, essential in the face of the potential threat from pathogens or neoplasia. As the importance of the role of the thymus has grown, so too has the understanding that it is extremely sensitive to both acute and chronic injury. The thymus undergoes rapid degeneration following a range of toxic insults, and also involutes as part of the aging process, albeit at a faster rate than many other tissues. The thymus is, however, capable of regenerating, restoring its function to a degree. Potential mechanisms for this endogenous thymic regeneration include keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) signaling, and a more recently described pathway in which innate lymphoid cells produce interleukin-22 (IL-22) in response to loss of double positive thymocytes and upregulation of IL-23 by dendritic cells. Endogenous repair is unable to fully restore the thymus, particularly in the aged population, and this paves the way toward the need for exogenous strategies to help regenerate or even replace thymic function. Therapies currently in clinical trials include KGF, use of the cytokines IL-7 and IL-22, and hormonal modulation including growth hormone administration and sex steroid inhibition. Further novel strategies are emerging in the preclinical setting, including the use of precursor T cells and thymus bioengineering. The use of such strategies offers hope that for many patients, the next regeneration of their thymus is a step closer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed S Chaudhry
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Enrico Velardi
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jarrod A Dudakov
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Marcel R M van den Brink
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chandrasekaran D, Nakamoto B, Watts KL, Kiem HP, Papayannopoulou T. Modeling promising nonmyeloablative conditioning regimens in nonhuman primates. Hum Gene Ther 2015; 25:1013-22. [PMID: 24937231 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2014.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Minimal conditioning or even no conditioning would be the preferred preparation for most gene therapy applications for nonmalignant diseases. However, reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens in patients with nonhematologic malignancies have not led to long-term engraftment unless a selective advantage was present for the transplanted donor cells. Similar findings have also been observed in a number of large animal studies. Inadequate myelosuppression levels were thought to be responsible for the outcomes. To address this issue several innovative protocols in small animals have been presented with selective hematopoietic myelosuppression and less systemic toxicity. Such protocols promised to curb the transplant-related morbidity and mortality in myeloablative conditioning and provide effective long-term engraftment, especially in patients with gene-corrected autografts. In the present study we have tested some of these promising RIC regimens in nonhuman primates, a clinically relevant large animal model. Our data suggest that transient myelosuppression induced by anti-c-Kit antibody in conjunction with low-dose irradiation may lead to long-term engraftment, albeit at low levels. The animals with busulfan conditioning with or without anti-c-Kit that received gene-modified autologous transplants with green fluorescent protein expression had similar myelosuppression, but failed long-term engraftment and despite immunosuppressive treatment had all the hallmarks seen previously in similar models without immunosuppression. Our preliminary data expand current knowledge of RIC and emphasize the need to explore whether specific and directed myelosuppression alone is adequate in the absence of microenvironmental modulation, or whether innovative combinations are necessary for safe and effective engraftment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Devikha Chandrasekaran
- 1 Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center , Seattle, WA 98109
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tabone-Eglinger S, Calderin-Sollet Z, Pinon P, Aebischer N, Wehrle-Haller M, Jacquier MC, Boettiger D, Wehrle-Haller B. Niche anchorage and signaling through membrane-bound Kit-ligand/c-kit receptor are kinase independent and imatinib insensitive. FASEB J 2014; 28:4441-56. [PMID: 25002122 DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-249425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Kit ligand (KitL) and its tyrosine kinase receptor c-kit are critical for germ cells, melanocytes, mastocytes, and hematopoietic stem cells. Alternative splicing of KitL generates membrane-bound KitL (mb-KitL) or soluble KitL, providing survival or cell migration, respectively. Here we analyzed whether c-kit can function both as an adhesion and signaling receptor to mb-KitL presented by the environmental niche. At contacts between fibroblasts and MC/9 mast cells, mb-KitL, and c-kit formed ligand/receptor clusters that formed stable complexes, which resisted dissociation by c-kit blocking mAbs and provided cell anchorage under physiological shear stresses. Clusters recruited tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins and induced spatially restricted F-actin polymerization. Mutational analysis of c-kit demonstrated kinase-independent mb-KitL/c-kit clustering, anchorage, F-actin polymerization, and Tyr567-dependent cluster phosphorylation. Kinase inhibition of c-kit by imatinib reduced cluster coalescence, but allowed cluster phosphorylation and F-actin polymerization, which required PI3K recruitment and a newly identified juxtamembrane residue. Synergies between integrin and c-kit-mediated spreading and adhesion of MC/9 cells were studied in vitro on immobilized-KitL/fibronectin surfaces. While c-kit blocking antibodies prevented spreading, imatinib blocked spreading induced by soluble- but not immobilized KitL. Thus, "mechanical" activation of c-kit provides signaling, niche-anchorage, and synergies with integrin-mediated adhesion, which is independent of kinase function and resistant to c-kit kinase inhibitors.-
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Séverine Tabone-Eglinger
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, Centre Médical Universitaire, Geneva, Switzerland; and
| | - Zuleika Calderin-Sollet
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, Centre Médical Universitaire, Geneva, Switzerland; and
| | - Perrine Pinon
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, Centre Médical Universitaire, Geneva, Switzerland; and
| | - Nicole Aebischer
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, Centre Médical Universitaire, Geneva, Switzerland; and
| | - Monique Wehrle-Haller
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, Centre Médical Universitaire, Geneva, Switzerland; and
| | - Marie-Claude Jacquier
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, Centre Médical Universitaire, Geneva, Switzerland; and
| | - David Boettiger
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bernhard Wehrle-Haller
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, Centre Médical Universitaire, Geneva, Switzerland; and
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Danby R, Rocha V. Improving engraftment and immune reconstitution in umbilical cord blood transplantation. Front Immunol 2014; 5:68. [PMID: 24605111 PMCID: PMC3932655 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2013] [Accepted: 02/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an important source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) for allogeneic transplantation when HLA-matched sibling and unrelated donors (MUD) are unavailable. Although the overall survival results for UCB transplantation are comparable to the results with MUD, UCB transplants are associated with slow engraftment, delayed immune reconstitution, and increased opportunistic infections. While this may be a consequence of the lower cell dose in UCB grafts, it also reflects the relative immaturity of cord blood. Furthermore, limited cell numbers and the non-availability of donor lymphocyte infusions currently prevent the use of post-transplant cellular immunotherapy to boost donor-derived immunity to treat infections, mixed chimerism, and disease relapse. To further develop UCB transplantation, many strategies to enhance engraftment and immune reconstitution are currently under investigation. This review summarizes our current understanding of engraftment and immune recovery following UCB transplantation and why this differs from allogeneic transplants using other sources of HSC. It also provides a comprehensive overview of promising techniques being used to improve myeloid and lymphoid recovery, including expansion, homing, and delivery of UCB HSC; combined use of UCB with third-party donors; isolation and expansion of natural killer cells, pathogen-specific T cells, and regulatory T cells; methods to protect and/or improve thymopoiesis. As many of these strategies are now in clinical trials, it is anticipated that UCB transplantation will continue to advance, further expanding our understanding of UCB biology and HSC transplantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Danby
- Department of Haematology, Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust , Oxford , UK ; NHS Blood and Transplant, John Radcliffe Hospital , Oxford , UK ; Eurocord, Hôpital Saint Louis APHP, University Paris VII IUH , Paris , France
| | - Vanderson Rocha
- Department of Haematology, Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust , Oxford , UK ; NHS Blood and Transplant, John Radcliffe Hospital , Oxford , UK ; Eurocord, Hôpital Saint Louis APHP, University Paris VII IUH , Paris , France
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Toubert A, Glauzy S, Douay C, Clave E. Thymus and immune reconstitution after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in humans: never say never again. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 79:83-9. [PMID: 22220718 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0039.2011.01820.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Assessment of the host immune status is becoming a key issue in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). In the long-term follow-up of these patients, severe post-transplant infections, relapse or secondary malignancies may be directly related to persistent immune defects. In allo-HSCT, T-cell differentiation of donor progenitors within the recipient thymus is required to generate naive recent T-cell emigrants (RTE). These cells account for a durable T-cell reconstitution, generating a diverse T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire and robust response to infections. It is now possible to quantify the production of RTE by measuring thymic T-cell receptor excision circles or 'TREC' which are small circular DNA produced during the recombination of the genomic segments encoding the TCR alpha chain. Here we discuss the role of thymic function in allo-HSCT. The pre-transplant recipient thymic function correlates with clinical outcome in terms of survival and occurrence of severe infections. Post-transplant, TREC analysis showed that the thymus is a sensitive target to the allogeneic acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) reaction but is also prone to recovery in young adult patients. In all, thymus is a key player for the quality of immune reconstitution and clinical outcome after allo-HSCT. Thymic tissue is plastic and it is a future challenge to halt or reverse thymic GVHD therapeutically by acting at the level of T-cell progenitors generation, thymic homing and/or epithelial thymic tissue preservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Toubert
- Sorbonne Paris Cité, INSERM UMR940, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gui J, Mustachio LM, Su DM, Craig RW. Thymus Size and Age-related Thymic Involution: Early Programming, Sexual Dimorphism, Progenitors and Stroma. Aging Dis 2012; 3:280-290. [PMID: 22724086 PMCID: PMC3375084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2012] [Revised: 03/09/2012] [Accepted: 03/10/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related thymic involution is characterized by a progressive regression in thymus size and a diminishment of thymic structure. A decrease in thymic compartments leads to the reduction of thymopoiesis. Thymic involution is closely associated with immunosenescence, a degeneration of the immune system primarily due to the alterations in T-cell composition. Strategies to improve the consequences of the aging thymus are currently under investigation. A wide array of knowledge has revealed a series of factors that are essential in the overall determination of thymic function and immune response. Evidence indicates that early programming of the thymus, sexual dimorphism, and the efficiency of specific T-cell progenitors and the thymic microenvironment are all crucial determinants of immune activity from early life through advanced ages. To fully understand the processes involved in age-related thymic involution, such determinants must be considered. The central purpose of this review is to emphasize previous and most recent evidence suggesting that these factors contribute to the influence of long-term immunity and ultimately shape the progression of thymic involution in advanced age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingang Gui
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Lisa Maria Mustachio
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Dong-Ming Su
- Department of Molecular Biology and Immunology, The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Ruth W. Craig
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wils EJ, Rombouts EJC, van Mourik I, Spits H, Legrand N, Braakman E, Cornelissen JJ. Stem Cell Factor Consistently Improves Thymopoiesis after Experimental Transplantation of Murine or Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Immunodeficient Mice. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2011; 187:2974-81. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1004209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
|
11
|
Holländer GA, Krenger W, Blazar BR. Emerging strategies to boost thymic function. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2010; 10:443-53. [PMID: 20447867 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2010.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2010] [Revised: 04/06/2010] [Accepted: 04/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The thymus constitutes the primary lymphoid organ for the generation of T cells. Its function is particularly susceptible to various negative influences ranging from age-related involution to atrophy as a consequence of malnutrition, infection or harmful iatrogenic influences such as chemotherapy and radiation. The loss of regular thymus function significantly increases the risk for infections and cancer because of a restricted capacity for immune surveillance. In recent years, thymus-stimulatory, thymus-regenerative, and thymus-protective strategies have been developed to enhance and repair thymus function in the elderly and in individuals undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. These strategies include the use of sex steroid ablation, the administration of growth and differentiation factors, the inhibition of p53, and the transfer of T cell progenitors to alleviate the effects of thymus dysfunction and consequent T cell deficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georg A Holländer
- Laboratory of Pediatric Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, The University Children's Hospital (UKBB), Mattenstrasse 28, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|