1
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Grammer C, Komorowska JA, Swann JB. Vhl safeguards thymic epithelial cell identity and thymopoietic capacity by constraining Hif1a activity during development. iScience 2024; 27:110258. [PMID: 39040069 PMCID: PMC11261450 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The thymus is a physiologically hypoxic organ and fulfills its role of generating T cells under low-oxygen conditions. We have therefore investigated how thymic epithelial cells (TECs) cope with physiological hypoxia by focusing on the role of the Hif1a-Vhl axis. In most cell types, the oxygen-labile transcriptional regulator Hif1a is a central player in co-ordinating responses to low oxygen: under normoxic conditions Hif1a is rapidly degraded in a Vhl-guided manner; however, under hypoxic conditions Hif1a is stabilized and can execute its transcriptional functions. Unexpectedly, we find that, although TECs reside in a hypoxic microenvironment, they express little Hif1a protein and do not require Hif1a for their development or function. Instead, we find that Vhl function in TECs is vital to constrain Hif1a activity, as loss of Vhl results in dramatic defects in TEC differentiation and thymopoiesis, which can be rescued by Hif1a co-depletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Grammer
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck-Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Julia A. Komorowska
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck-Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
- Albert Ludwig University, Faculty of Biology, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jeremy B. Swann
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck-Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
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2
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Ribeiro C, Ferreirinha P, Landry JJM, Macedo F, Sousa LG, Pinto R, Benes V, Alves NL. Foxo3 regulates cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cell homeostasis with implications in T cell development. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:352. [PMID: 38773063 PMCID: PMC11109193 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06728-0] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Within the thymus, thymic epithelial cells (TECs) create dedicated microenvironments for T cell development and selection. Considering that TECs are sensitive to distinct pathophysiological conditions, uncovering the molecular elements that coordinate their thymopoietic role has important fundamental and clinical implications. Particularly, medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) play a crucial role in central tolerance. Our previous studies, along with others, suggest that mTECs depend on molecular factors linked to genome-protecting pathways, but the precise mechanisms underlying their function remain unknown. These observations led us to examine the role of Foxo3, as it is expressed in TECs and involved in DNA damage response. Our findings show that mice with TEC-specific deletion of Foxo3 (Foxo3cKO) displayed a disrupted mTEC compartment, with a more profound impact on the numbers of CCL21+ and thymic tuft mTEClo subsets. At the molecular level, Foxo3 controls distinct functional modules in the transcriptome of cTECs and mTECs under normal conditions, which includes the regulation of ribosomal biogenesis and DNA damage response, respectively. These changes in the TEC compartment resulted in a reduced total thymocyte cellularity and specific changes in regulatory T cell and iNKT cell development in the Foxo3cKO thymus. Lastly, the thymic defects observed in adulthood correlated with mild signs of altered peripheral immunotolerance in aged Foxo3cKO mice. Moreover, the deficiency in Foxo3 moderately aggravated the autoimmune predisposition observed in Aire-deficient mice. Our findings highlight the importance of Foxo3 in preserving the homeostasis of TECs and in supporting their role in T cell development and tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Ribeiro
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Ferreirinha
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jonathan J M Landry
- Genomics Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fátima Macedo
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Ciências Médicas, Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Laura G Sousa
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rute Pinto
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Vladimir Benes
- Genomics Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nuno L Alves
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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3
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Kearns NA, Lobo M, Genga RMJ, Abramowitz RG, Parsi KM, Min J, Kernfeld EM, Huey JD, Kady J, Hennessy E, Brehm MA, Ziller MJ, Maehr R. Generation and molecular characterization of human pluripotent stem cell-derived pharyngeal foregut endoderm. Dev Cell 2023; 58:1801-1818.e15. [PMID: 37751684 PMCID: PMC10637111 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.08.024] [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: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Approaches to study human pharyngeal foregut endoderm-a developmental intermediate that is linked to various human syndromes involving pharynx development and organogenesis of tissues such as thymus, parathyroid, and thyroid-have been hampered by scarcity of tissue access and cellular models. We present an efficient stepwise differentiation method to generate human pharyngeal foregut endoderm from pluripotent stem cells. We determine dose and temporal requirements of signaling pathway engagement for optimized differentiation and characterize the differentiation products on cellular and integrated molecular level. We present a computational classification tool, "CellMatch," and transcriptomic classification of differentiation products on an integrated mouse scRNA-seq developmental roadmap confirms cellular maturation. Integrated transcriptomic and chromatin analyses infer differentiation stage-specific gene regulatory networks. Our work provides the method and integrated multiomic resource for the investigation of disease-relevant loci and gene regulatory networks and their role in developmental defects affecting the pharyngeal endoderm and its derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola A Kearns
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Diabetes Center of Excellence, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Macrina Lobo
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Diabetes Center of Excellence, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ryan M J Genga
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Diabetes Center of Excellence, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ryan G Abramowitz
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Diabetes Center of Excellence, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Krishna M Parsi
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Diabetes Center of Excellence, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jiang Min
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Diabetes Center of Excellence, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Eric M Kernfeld
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Diabetes Center of Excellence, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jack D Huey
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Diabetes Center of Excellence, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jamie Kady
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Diabetes Center of Excellence, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Erica Hennessy
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Diabetes Center of Excellence, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Michael A Brehm
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Diabetes Center of Excellence, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Michael J Ziller
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - René Maehr
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Diabetes Center of Excellence, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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4
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Pircher H, Pinschewer DD, Boehm T. MHC I tetramer staining tends to overestimate the number of functionally relevant self-reactive CD8 T cells in the preimmune repertoire. Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2350402. [PMID: 37179469 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies that used peptide-MHC (pMHC) tetramers (tet) to identify self-specific T cells have questioned the effectiveness of thymic-negative selection. Here, we used pMHCI tet to enumerate CD8 T cells specific for the immunodominant gp33 epitope of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus glycoprotein (GP) in mice transgenically engineered to express high levels of GP as a self-antigen in the thymus. In GP-transgenic mice (GP+ ), monoclonal P14 TCR+ CD8 T cells that express a GP-specific TCR could not be detected by gp33/Db -tet staining, indicative of their complete intrathymic deletion. By contrast, in the same GP+ mice, substantial numbers of polyclonal CD8 T cells identifiable by gp33/Db -tet were present. The gp33-tet staining profiles of polyclonal T cells from GP+ and GP-negative (GP- ) mice were overlapping, but mean fluorescence intensities were ∼15% lower in cells from GP+ mice. Remarkably, the gp33-tet+ T cells in GP+ mice failed to clonally expand after lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection, whereas those of GP- mice did so. In Nur77GFP -reporter mice, dose-dependent responses to gp33 peptide-induced TCR stimulation revealed that gp33-tet+ T cells with high ligand sensitivity are lacking in GP+ mice. Hence, pMHCI tet staining identifies self-specific CD8 T cells but tends to overestimate the number of truly self-reactive cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanspeter Pircher
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Daniel D Pinschewer
- Division of Experimental Virology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Boehm
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
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5
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Zhang Q, Zhang J, Lei T, Liang Z, Dong X, Sun L, Zhao Y. Sirt6-mediated epigenetic modification of DNA accessibility is essential for Pou2f3-induced thymic tuft cell development. Commun Biol 2022; 5:544. [PMID: 35668088 PMCID: PMC9170729 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03484-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractThymic epithelial cells (TECs) are essential for the production of self-tolerant T cells. The newly identified thymic tuft cells are regulated by Pou2f3 and represent important elements for host type 2 immunity. However, epigenetic involvement in thymic tuft cell development remains unclear. We performed single-cell ATAC-seq of medullary TEC (mTEC) and established single-cell chromatin accessibility profiling of mTECs. The results showed that mTEC III cells can be further divided into three groups (Late Aire 1, 2, and 3) and that thymic tuft cells may be derived from Late Aire 2 cells. Pou2f3 is expressed in both Late Aire 2 cells and thymic tuft cells, while Pou2f3-regulated genes are specifically expressed in thymic tuft cells with simultaneous opening of chromatin accessibility, indicating the involvement of epigenetic modification in this process. Using the epigenetic regulator Sirt6-defect mouse model, we found that Sirt6 deletion increased Late Aire 2 cells and decreased thymic tuft cells and Late Aire 3 cells without affecting Pou2f3 expression. However, Sirt6 deletion reduced the chromatin accessibility of Pou2f3-regulated genes in thymic tuft cells, which may be caused by Sirt6–mediated regulation of Hdac9 expression. These data indicate that epigenetic regulation is indispensable for Pou2f3-mediated thymic tuft cell development.
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6
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Nusser A, Sagar, Swann JB, Krauth B, Diekhoff D, Calderon L, Happe C, Grün D, Boehm T. Developmental dynamics of two bipotent thymic epithelial progenitor types. Nature 2022; 606:165-171. [PMID: 35614226 PMCID: PMC9159946 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04752-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
T cell development in the thymus is essential for cellular immunity and depends on the organotypic thymic epithelial microenvironment. In comparison with other organs, the size and cellular composition of the thymus are unusually dynamic, as exemplified by rapid growth and high T cell output during early stages of development, followed by a gradual loss of functional thymic epithelial cells and diminished naive T cell production with age1-10. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has uncovered an unexpected heterogeneity of cell types in the thymic epithelium of young and aged adult mice11-18; however, the identities and developmental dynamics of putative pre- and postnatal epithelial progenitors have remained unresolved1,12,16,17,19-27. Here we combine scRNA-seq and a new CRISPR-Cas9-based cellular barcoding system in mice to determine qualitative and quantitative changes in the thymic epithelium over time. This dual approach enabled us to identify two principal progenitor populations: an early bipotent progenitor type biased towards cortical epithelium and a postnatal bipotent progenitor population biased towards medullary epithelium. We further demonstrate that continuous autocrine provision of Fgf7 leads to sustained expansion of thymic microenvironments without exhausting the epithelial progenitor pools, suggesting a strategy to modulate the extent of thymopoietic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Nusser
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sagar
- Quantitative Single Cell Biology Group, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jeremy B Swann
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Brigitte Krauth
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dagmar Diekhoff
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lesly Calderon
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christiane Happe
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dominic Grün
- Quantitative Single Cell Biology Group, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany.
- Würzburg Institute of Systems Immunology, Max Planck Research Group at the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-Based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Thomas Boehm
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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7
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Liang Z, Zhang Q, Zhang Z, Sun L, Dong X, Li T, Tan L, Xie X, Sun L, Zhao Y. The Development and Survival of Thymic Epithelial Cells Require TSC1-Dependent Negative Regulation of mTORC1 Activity. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 207:2039-2050. [PMID: 34535574 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are critical for the development and generation of functionally competent T cells. Until now, the mechanism that regulates the survival of TECs is poorly understood. In the current study, we found that Tsc1 controls the homeostasis of medullary TECs (mTECs) by inhibiting lysosomal-mediated apoptosis pathway in mice. TEC-specific deletion of Tsc1 predominately decreased the cell number of mTECs and, to a lesser content, affected the development cortical TECs. The defect of mTECs caused by Tsc1 deficiency in mice impaired thymocyte development and peripheral T cell homeostasis. Mechanistically, Tsc1 deficiency did not affect the cell proliferation of mTECs but increased the apoptosis of mTECs significantly. RNA-sequencing analysis showed that pathways involved in lysosomal biogenesis, cell metabolism, and apoptosis were remarkably elevated in Tsc1-deficient mTECs compared with their wild-type counterparts. Tsc1-deficient mTECs exhibited overproduction of reactive oxygen species and malfunction of lysosome, with lysosome membrane permeabilization and the release of cathepsin B and cathepsin L to the cytosol, which then lead to Bid cleaved into active truncated Bid and subsequently intrinsic apoptosis. Finally, we showed that the impaired development of mTECs could be partially reversed by decreasing mTORC1 activity via haploinsufficiency of Raptor Thus, Tsc1 is essential for the homeostasis of mTECs by inhibiting lysosomal-mediated apoptosis through mTORC1-dependent pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanfeng Liang
- 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
| | - 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
| | - Zhaoqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lina Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tianxiu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Tan
- Department of Urological Organ Transplantation, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xubiao Xie
- Department of Urological Organ Transplantation, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Liguang Sun
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China; and .,National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, 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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8
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Wu H, Li X, Zhou C, Yu Q, Ge S, Pan Z, Zhao Y, Xia S, Zhou X, Liu X, Wang H, Shao Q. Circulating mature dendritic cells homing to the thymus promote thymic epithelial cells involution via the Jagged1/Notch3 axis. Cell Death Discov 2021; 7:225. [PMID: 34462426 PMCID: PMC8404188 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-021-00619-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple proinflammatory conditions, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, transplant rejection, and microbial infections, have been identified to induce involution of the thymus. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of these inflammatory conditions inducing apoptosis of thymic epithelial cells (TECs), the main components of the thymus, remain largely unknown. In the circulation, mature dendritic cells (mDCs), the predominant initiator of innate and adaptive immune response, can migrate into the thymus. Herein, we demonstrated that mDCs were able to directly inhibit TECs proliferation and induce their apoptosis by activating the Jagged1/Notch3 signaling pathway. Intrathymic injection of either mDCs or recombinant mouse Jagged1-human Fc fusion protein (rmJagged1-hFc) into mice resulted in acute atrophy of the thymus. Furthermore, DAPT, a γ-secretase inhibitor, reversed the effects induced by mDC or rmJagged1-hFc. These findings suggest that acute or aging-related thymus degeneration can be induced either by mass migration of circulating mDCs in a short period of time or by a few but constantly homing mDCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haojie Wu
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Xiaohan Li
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Chen Zhou
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Qihong Yu
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Shiyao Ge
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Zihui Pan
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Yangjing Zhao
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Sheng Xia
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoming Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Xia Liu
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Hui Wang
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
| | - Qixiang Shao
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Reproductive Immunity, School of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Jiangsu College of Nursing, Huai'an, 223002, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
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9
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Zhang Q, Liang Z, Zhang J, Lei T, Dong X, Su H, Chen Y, Zhang Z, Tan L, Zhao Y. Sirt6 Regulates the Development of Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cells and Contributes to the Establishment of Central Immune Tolerance. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:655552. [PMID: 33869219 PMCID: PMC8044826 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.655552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although some advances have been made in understanding the molecular regulation of mTEC development, the role of epigenetic regulators in the development and maturation of mTEC is poorly understood. Here, using the TEC-specific Sirt6 knockout mice, we found the deacetylase Sirtuin 6 (Sirt6) is essential for the development of functionally competent mTECs. First of all, TEC-specific Sirt6 deletion dramatically reduces the mTEC compartment, which is caused by reduced DNA replication and subsequent impaired proliferation ability of Sirt6-deficient mTECs. Secondly, Sirt6 deficiency specifically accelerates the differentiation of mTECs from CD80–Aire– immature population to CD80+Aire– intermediate mature population by promoting the expression of Spib. Finally, Sirt6 ablation in TECs markedly interferes the proper expression of tissue-restricted antigens (TRAs) and impairs the development of thymocytes and nTreg cells. In addition, TEC conditional knockout of Sirt6 results in severe autoimmune disease manifested by reduced body weight, the infiltration of lymphocytes and the presence of autoantibodies. Collectively, this study reveals that the expression of epigenetic regulator Sirt6 in TECs is crucial for the development and differentiation of mTECs, which highlights the importance of Sirt6 in the establishment of central immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - Zhanfeng Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiayu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tong Lei
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huiting Su
- Department of Central Laboratory and Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yifang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaoqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Tan
- Center of Organ Transplantation, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 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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10
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Thymus Inception: Molecular Network in the Early Stages of Thymus Organogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165765. [PMID: 32796710 PMCID: PMC7460828 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus generates central immune tolerance by producing self-restricted and self-tolerant T-cells as a result of interactions between the developing thymocytes and the stromal microenvironment, mainly formed by the thymic epithelial cells. The thymic epithelium derives from the endoderm of the pharyngeal pouches, embryonic structures that rely on environmental cues from the surrounding mesenchyme for its development. Here, we review the most recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in early thymic organogenesis at stages preceding the expression of the transcription factor Foxn1, the early marker of thymic epithelial cells identity. Foxn1-independent developmental stages, such as the specification of the pharyngeal endoderm, patterning of the pouches, and thymus fate commitment are discussed, with a special focus on epithelial–mesenchymal interactions.
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11
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Regulation of bone morphogenetic protein 4 on epithelial tissue. J Cell Commun Signal 2020; 14:283-292. [PMID: 31912367 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-019-00537-3] [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: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial tissues provide tissue barriers and specialize in organs and glands. When epithelial homeostasis is physiologically or pathologically stimulated, epithelial cells produce mesenchymal cells through the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, forming new tissues, promoting the cure of diseases or leading to illness. A variety of cytokines are involved in the regulation of epithelial cell differentiation. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), especially the bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) has a variety of biological functions and plays a prominent role in the regulation of epithelial cell differentiation. BMP4 is an important regulatory factor of a series of life activities in vertebrates, which is also related to cell proliferation, differentiation and mobility, it also has relation with tumor development. This paper mainly reviews the mechanism of BMP4's regulation on epithelial tissues, as well as its effect on the growth, differentiation, benign lesions and malignant lesions of epithelial tissues, and expounds the function of BMP4 in epithelial tissues, to provide theoretical support for the research on reducing epithelial diseases.
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12
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Andreas N, Potthast M, Geiselhöringer AL, Garg G, de Jong R, Riewaldt J, Russkamp D, Riemann M, Girard JP, Blank S, Kretschmer K, Schmidt-Weber C, Korn T, Weih F, Ohnmacht C. RelB Deficiency in Dendritic Cells Protects from Autoimmune Inflammation Due to Spontaneous Accumulation of Tissue T Regulatory Cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 203:2602-2613. [PMID: 31578269 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1801530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Foxp3+ regulatory T cells are well-known immune suppressor cells in various settings. In this study, we provide evidence that knockout of the relB gene in dendritic cells (DCs) of C57BL/6 mice results in a spontaneous and systemic accumulation of Foxp3+ T regulatory T cells (Tregs) partially at the expense of microbiota-reactive Tregs. Deletion of nfkb2 does not fully recapitulate this phenotype, indicating that alternative NF-κB activation via the RelB/p52 complex is not solely responsible for Treg accumulation. Deletion of RelB in DCs further results in an impaired oral tolerance induction and a marked type 2 immune bias among accumulated Foxp3+ Tregs reminiscent of a tissue Treg signature. Tissue Tregs were fully functional, expanded independently of IL-33, and led to an almost complete Treg-dependent protection from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Thus, we provide clear evidence that RelB-dependent pathways regulate the capacity of DCs to quantitatively and qualitatively impact on Treg biology and constitute an attractive target for treatment of autoimmune diseases but may come at risk for reduced immune tolerance in the intestinal tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico Andreas
- Research Group Immunology, Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany.,Institute of Immunology, Jena University Hospital, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Maria Potthast
- Zentrum Allergie und Umwelt, Technische Universität und Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Geiselhöringer
- Zentrum Allergie und Umwelt, Technische Universität und Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Garima Garg
- Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Neurologische Klinik, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Renske de Jong
- Zentrum Allergie und Umwelt, Technische Universität und Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Julia Riewaldt
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology/Immune Regulation, German Research Foundation - Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengeneering, Technical University Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Dennis Russkamp
- Zentrum Allergie und Umwelt, Technische Universität und Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Marc Riemann
- Research Group Immunology, Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Jean-Philippe Girard
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structural, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31077 Toulouse, France
| | - Simon Blank
- Zentrum Allergie und Umwelt, Technische Universität und Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Karsten Kretschmer
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology/Immune Regulation, German Research Foundation - Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengeneering, Technical University Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Carsten Schmidt-Weber
- Zentrum Allergie und Umwelt, Technische Universität und Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.,German Center for Lung Disease, 35392 Giessen, Germany; and
| | - Thomas Korn
- Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Neurologische Klinik, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Falk Weih
- Research Group Immunology, Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Caspar Ohnmacht
- Zentrum Allergie und Umwelt, Technische Universität und Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany;
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13
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Hirakawa M, Nagakubo D, Kanzler B, Avilov S, Krauth B, Happe C, Swann JB, Nusser A, Boehm T. Fundamental parameters of the developing thymic epithelium in the mouse. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11095. [PMID: 30038304 PMCID: PMC6056470 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29460-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The numbers of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and thymocytes steadily increase during embryogenesis. To examine this dynamic, we generated several TEC-specific transgenic mouse lines, which express fluorescent proteins in the nucleus, the cytosol and in the membranes under the control of the Foxn1 promoter. These tools enabled us to determine TEC numbers in tissue sections by confocal fluorescent microscopy, and in the intact organ by light-sheet microscopy. Compared to histological procedures, flow cytometric analysis of thymic cellularity is shown to underestimate the numbers of TECs by one order of magnitude; using enzymatic digestion of thymic tissue, the loss of cortical TECs (cTECs) is several fold greater than that of medullary TECs (mTECs), although different cTEC subsets appear to be still present in the final preparation. Novel reporter lines driven by Psmb11 and Prss16 promoters revealed the trajectory of differentiation of cTEC-like cells, and, owing to the additional facility of conditional cell ablation, allowed us to follow the recovery of such cells after their depletion during embryogenesis. Multiparametric histological analyses indicate that the new transgenic reporter lines not only reveal the unique morphologies of different TEC subsets, but are also conducive to the analysis of the complex cellular interactions in the thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayumi Hirakawa
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, 79108, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Daisuke Nagakubo
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, 79108, Freiburg, Germany.,Division of Health and Hygienic Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Himeji Dokkyo University, 7-2-1 Kamiohno, Himeji, Hyogo, 670-8524, Japan
| | - Benoît Kanzler
- Transgenic Mouse Core Facility, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, 79108, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sergiy Avilov
- Imaging Facility, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, 79108, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Brigitte Krauth
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, 79108, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christiane Happe
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, 79108, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jeremy B Swann
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, 79108, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anja Nusser
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, 79108, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Boehm
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, 79108, Freiburg, Germany.
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14
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Rodrigues PM, Ribeiro AR, Serafini N, Meireles C, Di Santo JP, Alves NL. Intrathymic Deletion of IL-7 Reveals a Contribution of the Bone Marrow to Thymic Rebound Induced by Androgen Blockade. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 200:1389-1398. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1701112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Despite the well-documented effect of castration in thymic regeneration, the singular contribution of the bone marrow (BM) versus the thymus to this process remains unclear. The chief role of IL-7 in pre- and intrathymic stages of T lymphopoiesis led us to investigate the impact of disrupting this cytokine during thymic rebound induced by androgen blockade. We found that castration promoted thymopoiesis in young and aged wild-type mice. In contrast, only young germline IL-7–deficient (Il7−/−) mice consistently augmented thymopoiesis after castration. The increase in T cell production was accompanied by the expansion of the sparse medullary thymic epithelial cell and the peripheral T cell compartment in young Il7−/− mice. In contrast to young Il7−/− and wild-type mice, the poor thymic response of aged Il7−/− mice after castration was associated with a defect in the expansion of BM hematopoietic progenitors. These findings suggest that BM-derived T cell precursors contribute to thymic rebound driven by androgen blockade. To assess the role of IL-7 within the thymus, we generated mice with conditional deletion of IL-7 (Il7 conditional knockout [cKO]) in thymic epithelial cells. As expected, Il7cKO mice presented a profound defect in T cell development while maintaining an intact BM hematopoietic compartment across life. Unlike Il7−/− mice, castration promoted the expansion of BM precursors and enhanced thymic activity in Il7cKO mice independently of age. Our findings suggest that the mobilization of BM precursors acts as a prime catalyst of castration-driven thymopoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro M. Rodrigues
- *Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- †Thymus Development and Function Laboratory, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- ‡Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana R. Ribeiro
- *Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- †Thymus Development and Function Laboratory, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Nicolas Serafini
- §Innate Immunity Unit, Pasteur Institute, 75724 Paris, France; and
- ¶INSERM U1223, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Catarina Meireles
- *Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- †Thymus Development and Function Laboratory, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - James P. Di Santo
- §Innate Immunity Unit, Pasteur Institute, 75724 Paris, France; and
- ¶INSERM U1223, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Nuno L. Alves
- *Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- †Thymus Development and Function Laboratory, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
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15
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Liu ZZ, Wang ZL, Choi TI, Huang WT, Wang HT, Han YY, Zhu LY, Kim HT, Choi JH, Lee JS, Kim HG, Zhao J, Chen Y, Lu Z, Tian XL, Pan BX, Li BM, Kim CH, Xu HA. Chd7 Is Critical for Early T-Cell Development and Thymus Organogenesis in Zebrafish. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2018; 188:1043-1058. [PMID: 29353058 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Coloboma, heart defect, atresia choanae, retarded growth and development, genital hypoplasia, ear anomalies/deafness (CHARGE) syndrome is a congenital disorder affecting multiple organs and mainly caused by mutations in CHD7, a gene encoding a chromatin-remodeling protein. Immunodeficiency and reduced T cells have been noted in CHARGE syndrome. However, the mechanisms underlying T lymphopenia are largely unexplored. Herein, we observed dramatic decrease of T cells in both chd7knockdown and knockout zebrafish embryos. Unexpectedly, hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and, particularly, lymphoid progenitor cells were increased peripherally in nonthymic areas in chd7-deficient embryos, unlikely to contribute to the T-cell decrease. Further analysis demonstrated that both the organogenesis and homing function of the thymus were seriously impaired. Chd7 might regulate thymus organogenesis through modulating the development of both neural crest cell-derived mesenchyme and pharyngeal endoderm-derived thymic epithelial cells. The expression of foxn1, a central regulator of thymic epithelium, was remarkably down-regulated in the pharyngeal region in chd7-deficient embryos. Moreover, the T-cell reduction in chd7-deficient embryos was partially rescued by overexpressing foxn1, suggesting that restoring thymic epithelium may be a potential therapeutic strategy for treating immunodeficiency in CHARGE syndrome. Collectively, the results indicated that chd7 was critical for thymic development and T-lymphopenia in CHARGE syndrome may be mainly attributed to the defects of thymic organogenesis. The current finding may benefit the diagnosis and therapy of T lymphopenia and immunodeficiency in CHARGE syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Zhi Liu
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular, Digestive and Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Nanchang, China
| | - Zi-Long Wang
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Tae-Ik Choi
- Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Wen-Ting Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Han-Tsing Wang
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ying-Ying Han
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lou-Yin Zhu
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Hyun-Taek Kim
- Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hwa Choi
- Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Soo Lee
- National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Goo Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; Children's Hospital of Jiang Xi, Nanchang, China; Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Jian Zhao
- Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yue Chen
- Children's Hospital of Jiang Xi, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhuo Lu
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiao-Li Tian
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Bing-Xing Pan
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular, Digestive and Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Nanchang, China
| | - Bao-Ming Li
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular, Digestive and Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Nanchang, China
| | - Cheol-Hee Kim
- Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hong A Xu
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular, Digestive and Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Nanchang, China.
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16
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Ucar O, Li K, Dvornikov D, Kreutz C, Timmer J, Matt S, Brenner L, Smedley C, Travis MA, Hofmann TG, Klingmüller U, Kyewski B. A Thymic Epithelial Stem Cell Pool Persists throughout Ontogeny and Is Modulated by TGF-β. Cell Rep 2017; 17:448-457. [PMID: 27705793 PMCID: PMC5067280 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Revised: 07/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult tissue-specific stem cells (SCs) mediate tissue homeostasis and regeneration and can give rise to all lineages in the corresponding tissue, similar to the early progenitors that generate organs in the first place. However, the developmental origins of adult SCs are largely unknown. We recently identified thymosphere-forming stem cells (TSFCs) in the adult mouse thymus, which display genuine stemness features and can generate the two major thymic epithelial cell lineages. Here, we show that embryonic TSFCs possess stemness features but differ from adult TSFCs in surface marker profile. Our findings support the model of a continuous thymic SC lineage that is maintained throughout ontogeny. TGF-β signaling differentially affects embryonic versus adult thymosphere formation, suggesting that thymic epithelial SC potency depends on both developmental stage and environmental signals. Collectively, our findings suggest that embryonic TSFCs contribute to an adult SC pool and that TSFC plasticity is controlled by TGF-β signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Ucar
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Kaiyong Li
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dmytro Dvornikov
- Division of Systems Biology of Signal Transduction, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Translational Lung Research Center (TLRC) Heidelberg, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Clemens Kreutz
- Center for Biological Systems Analysis (ZBSA), BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jens Timmer
- Center for Biological Systems Analysis (ZBSA), BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sonja Matt
- Division of Epigenetics, Cellular Senescence Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lukas Brenner
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Catherine Smedley
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Manchester M13 9NT, UK; Manchester Immunology Group, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Mark A Travis
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Manchester M13 9NT, UK; Manchester Immunology Group, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Thomas G Hofmann
- Division of Epigenetics, Cellular Senescence Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ursula Klingmüller
- Division of Systems Biology of Signal Transduction, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Translational Lung Research Center (TLRC) Heidelberg, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bruno Kyewski
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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17
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Swann JB, Krauth B, Happe C, Boehm T. Cooperative interaction of BMP signalling and Foxn1 gene dosage determines the size of the functionally active thymic epithelial compartment. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8492. [PMID: 28819138 PMCID: PMC5561201 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09213-1] [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: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymopoiesis strictly depends on the function of the Foxn1 transcription factor that is expressed in the thymic epithelium. During embryonic development, initial expression of the Foxn1 gene is induced in the pharyngeal endoderm by mesenchyme-derived BMP4 signals. Here, by engineering a time-delayed feedback system of BMP inhibition in mouse embryos, we demonstrate that thymopoiesis irreversibly fails if Foxn1 gene expression does not occur during a defining time span in mid-gestation. We also reveal an epistatic interaction between the extent of BMP signalling and the gene dosage of Foxn1. Our findings illustrate the complexities of the early steps of thymopoiesis and indicate that sporadic forms of thymic hypoplasia in humans may result from the interaction of genes affecting the magnitude of BMP signalling and Foxn1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy B Swann
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stuebeweg 51, D-79108, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Brigitte Krauth
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stuebeweg 51, D-79108, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christiane Happe
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stuebeweg 51, D-79108, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Boehm
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stuebeweg 51, D-79108, Freiburg, Germany.
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18
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Riemann M, Andreas N, Fedoseeva M, Meier E, Weih D, Freytag H, Schmidt-Ullrich R, Klein U, Wang ZQ, Weih F. Central immune tolerance depends on crosstalk between the classical and alternative NF-κB pathways in medullary thymic epithelial cells. J Autoimmun 2017; 81:56-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2017.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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19
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Thymic epithelial cells require p53 to support their long-term function in thymopoiesis in mice. Blood 2017; 130:478-488. [PMID: 28559356 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2016-12-758961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) provide crucial microenvironments for T-cell development and tolerance induction. As the regular function of the thymus declines with age, it is of fundamental and clinical relevance to decipher new determinants that control TEC homeostasis in vivo. Beyond its recognized tumor suppressive function, p53 controls several immunoregulatory pathways. To study the cell-autonomous role of p53 in thymic epithelium functioning, we developed and analyzed mice with conditional inactivation of Trp53 in TECs (p53cKO). We report that loss of p53 primarily disrupts the integrity of medullary TEC (mTEC) niche, a defect that spreads to the adult cortical TEC compartment. Mechanistically, we found that p53 controls specific and broad programs of mTEC differentiation. Apart from restraining the expression and responsiveness of the receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK), which is central for mTEC differentiation, deficiency of p53 in TECs altered multiple functional modules of the mTEC transcriptome, including tissue-restricted antigen expression. As a result, p53cKO mice presented premature defects in mTEC-dependent regulatory T-cell differentiation and thymocyte maturation, which progressed to a failure in regular and regenerative thymopoiesis and peripheral T-cell homeostasis in the adulthood. Lastly, peripheral signs of altered immunological tolerance unfold in mutant mice and in immunodeficient mice that received p53cKO-derived thymocytes. Our findings position p53 as a novel molecular determinant of thymic epithelium function throughout life.
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20
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Elevated levels of Wnt signaling disrupt thymus morphogenesis and function. Sci Rep 2017; 7:785. [PMID: 28400578 PMCID: PMC5429746 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00842-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
All vertebrates possess a thymus, whose epithelial microenvironment is essential for T cell development and maturation. Despite the importance of the thymus for cellular immune defense, many questions surrounding its morphogenesis remain unanswered. Here, we demonstrate that, in contrast to the situation in many other epithelial cell types, differentiation of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) proceeds normally in the absence of canonical Wnt signaling and the classical adhesion molecule E-cadherin. By contrast, TEC-intrinsic activation of β-catenin-dependent Wnt signaling blocks the morphogenesis of the thymus, and overexpression of a secreted Wnt ligand by TECs dominantly modifies the morphogenesis not only of the thymus, but also of the parathyroid and thyroid. These observations indicate that Wnt signaling activity in the thymus needs to be precisely controlled to support normal TEC differentiation, and suggest possible mechanisms underlying anatomical variations of the thymus, parathyroid and thyroid in humans.
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21
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Barsanti M, Lim JMC, Hun ML, Lister N, Wong K, Hammett MV, Lepletier A, Boyd RL, Giudice A, Chidgey AP. A novel Foxn1
eGFP/+
mouse model identifies Bmp4‐induced maintenance of
Foxn1
expression and thymic epithelial progenitor populations. Eur J Immunol 2016; 47:291-304. [DOI: 10.1002/eji.201646553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Barsanti
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Joanna M. C. Lim
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Michael L. Hun
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Natalie Lister
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Kahlia Wong
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Maree V. Hammett
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Ailin Lepletier
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Richard L. Boyd
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Antonietta Giudice
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Ann P. Chidgey
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
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Rode I, Martins VC, Küblbeck G, Maltry N, Tessmer C, Rodewald HR. Foxn1 Protein Expression in the Developing, Aging, and Regenerating Thymus. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 195:5678-87. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1502010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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23
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Vasil’ev KA, Polevshchikov AV. Thymus development in early ontogeny: A comparative aspect. Russ J Dev Biol 2015. [DOI: 10.1134/s106236041503008x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Rattay K, Claude J, Rezavandy E, Matt S, Hofmann TG, Kyewski B, Derbinski J. Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2, a novel autoimmune regulator interaction partner, modulates promiscuous gene expression in medullary thymic epithelial cells. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2015; 194:921-8. [PMID: 25552543 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1402694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Promiscuous expression of a plethora of tissue-restricted Ags (TRAs) by medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) plays an essential role in T cell tolerance. Although the cellular mechanisms by which promiscuous gene expression (pGE) imposes T cell tolerance have been well characterized, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. The autoimmune regulator (AIRE) is to date the only validated molecule known to regulate pGE. AIRE is part of higher-order multiprotein complexes, which promote transcription, elongation, and splicing of a wide range of target genes. How AIRE and its partners mediate these various effects at the molecular level is still largely unclear. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen, we searched for novel AIRE-interacting proteins and identified the homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2) as a novel partner. HIPK2 partially colocalized with AIRE in nuclear bodies upon cotransfection and in human mTECs in situ. Moreover, HIPK2 phosphorylated AIRE in vitro and suppressed the coactivator activity of AIRE in a kinase-dependent manner. To evaluate the role of Hipk2 in modulating the function of AIRE in vivo, we compared whole-genome gene signatures of purified mTEC subsets from TEC-specific Hipk2 knockout mice with control mice and identified a small set of differentially expressed genes. Unexpectedly, most differentially expressed genes were confined to the CD80(lo) mTEC subset and preferentially included AIRE-independent TRAs. Thus, although it modulates gene expression in mTECs and in addition affects the size of the medullary compartment, TEC-specific HIPK2 deletion only mildly affects AIRE-directed pGE in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Rattay
- Division of Developmental Immunobiology, Tumor Immunology Program, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; and
| | - Janine Claude
- Division of Developmental Immunobiology, Tumor Immunology Program, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; and
| | - Esmail Rezavandy
- Division of Developmental Immunobiology, Tumor Immunology Program, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; and
| | - Sonja Matt
- Zelluläre Seneszenz-Gruppe, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum-Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie Allianz, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas G Hofmann
- Zelluläre Seneszenz-Gruppe, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum-Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie Allianz, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bruno Kyewski
- Division of Developmental Immunobiology, Tumor Immunology Program, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; and
| | - Jens Derbinski
- Division of Developmental Immunobiology, Tumor Immunology Program, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; and
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25
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Wurm S, Zhang J, Guinea-Viniegra J, García F, Muñoz J, Bakiri L, Ezhkova E, Wagner EF. Terminal epidermal differentiation is regulated by the interaction of Fra-2/AP-1 with Ezh2 and ERK1/2. Genes Dev 2014; 29:144-56. [PMID: 25547114 PMCID: PMC4298134 DOI: 10.1101/gad.249748.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Wurm et al. identified Fra-2/AP-1 as a key regulator of terminal epidermal differentiation. Loss of Fra-2 in suprabasal keratinocytes is sufficient to cause skin barrier defects due to reduced expression of differentiation genes. The induction of epidermal differentiation by Fra-2 is controlled by a dual mechanism involving Ezh2-dependent methylation and activation by ERK1/2-dependent phosphorylation. Altered epidermal differentiation characterizes numerous skin diseases affecting >25% of the human population. Here we identified Fra-2/AP-1 as a key regulator of terminal epidermal differentiation. Epithelial-restricted, ectopic expression of Fra-2 induced expression of epidermal differentiation genes located within the epidermal differentiation complex (EDC). Moreover, in a papilloma-prone background, a reduced tumor burden was observed due to precocious keratinocyte differentiation by Fra-2 expression. Importantly, loss of Fra-2 in suprabasal keratinocytes is sufficient to cause skin barrier defects due to reduced expression of differentiation genes. Mechanistically, Fra-2 binds and transcriptionally regulates EDC gene promoters, which are co-occupied by the transcriptional repressor Ezh2. Fra-2 remains transcriptionally inactive in nondifferentiated keratinocytes, where it was found monomethylated and dimethylated on Lys104 and interacted with Ezh2. Upon keratinocyte differentiation, Fra-2 is C-terminally phosphorylated on Ser320 and Thr322 by ERK1/2, leading to transcriptional activation. Thus, the induction of epidermal differentiation by Fra-2 is controlled by a dual mechanism involving Ezh2-dependent methylation and activation by ERK1/2-dependent phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Wurm
- BBVA Foundation-CNIO Cancer Cell Biology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid E28029, Spain
| | - Jisheng Zhang
- Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266500, China
| | - Juan Guinea-Viniegra
- BBVA Foundation-CNIO Cancer Cell Biology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid E28029, Spain
| | - Fernando García
- Proteomics Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid E28029, Spain
| | - Javier Muñoz
- Proteomics Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid E28029, Spain
| | - Latifa Bakiri
- BBVA Foundation-CNIO Cancer Cell Biology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid E28029, Spain
| | - Elena Ezhkova
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - Erwin F Wagner
- BBVA Foundation-CNIO Cancer Cell Biology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid E28029, Spain;
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Chojnowski JL, Masuda K, Trau HA, Thomas K, Capecchi M, Manley NR. Multiple roles for HOXA3 in regulating thymus and parathyroid differentiation and morphogenesis in mouse. Development 2014; 141:3697-708. [PMID: 25249461 DOI: 10.1242/dev.110833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Hoxa3 was the first Hox gene to be mutated by gene targeting in mice and is required for the development of multiple endoderm and neural crest cell (NCC)-derived structures in the pharyngeal region. Previous studies have shown that the Hoxa3 null mutant lacks third pharyngeal pouch derivatives, the thymus and parathyroids by E18.5, and organ-specific markers are absent or downregulated during initial organogenesis. Our current analysis of the Hoxa3 null mutant shows that organ-specific domains did undergo initial patterning, but the location and timing of key regional markers within the pouch, including Tbx1, Bmp4 and Fgf8, were altered. Expression of the parathyroid marker Gcm2 was initiated but was quickly downregulated and differentiation failed; by contrast, thymus markers were delayed but achieved normal levels, concurrent with complete loss through apoptosis. To determine the cell type-specific roles of Hoxa3 in third pharyngeal pouch development, we analyzed tissue-specific mutants using endoderm and/or NCC-specific Cre drivers. Simultaneous deletion with both drivers resulted in athymia at E18.5, similar to the null. By contrast, the individual tissue-specific Hoxa3 deletions resulted in small, ectopic thymi, although each had a unique phenotype. Hoxa3 was primarily required in NCCs for morphogenesis. In endoderm, Hoxa3 temporally regulated initiation of the thymus program and was required in a cell-autonomous manner for parathyroid differentiation. Furthermore, Hoxa3 was required for survival of third pharyngeal pouch-derived organs, but expression in either tissue was sufficient for this function. These data show that Hoxa3 has multiple complex and tissue-specific functions during patterning, differentiation and morphogenesis of the thymus and parathyroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jena L Chojnowski
- Department of Genetics, Paul D. Coverdell Center, 500 DW Brooks Drive, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Kyoko Masuda
- Department of Genetics, Paul D. Coverdell Center, 500 DW Brooks Drive, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Heidi A Trau
- Department of Genetics, Paul D. Coverdell Center, 500 DW Brooks Drive, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Kirk Thomas
- Division of Hematology and Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Mario Capecchi
- Department of Human Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Nancy R Manley
- Department of Genetics, Paul D. Coverdell Center, 500 DW Brooks Drive, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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27
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Boehm T, Swann JB. Thymus involution and regeneration: two sides of the same coin? Nat Rev Immunol 2013; 13:831-8. [DOI: 10.1038/nri3534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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28
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Augustin I, Gross J, Baumann D, Korn C, Kerr G, Grigoryan T, Mauch C, Birchmeier W, Boutros M. Loss of epidermal Evi/Wls results in a phenotype resembling psoriasiform dermatitis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 210:1761-77. [PMID: 23918954 PMCID: PMC3754868 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20121871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The Wnt cargo receptor Evi maintains normal skin homeostasis and barrier function via Wnt secretion in the epidermis. Cells of the epidermis renew constantly from germinal layer stem cells. Although epithelial cell differentiation has been studied in great detail and the role of Wnt signaling in this process is well described, the contribution of epidermal Wnt secretion in epithelial cell homeostasis remains poorly understood. To analyze the role of Wnt proteins in this process, we created a conditional knockout allele of the Wnt cargo receptor Evi/Gpr177/Wntless and studied mice that lacked Evi expression in the epidermis. We found that K14-Cre, Evi-LOF mice lost their hair during the first hair cycle, showing a reddish skin with impaired skin barrier function. Expression profiling of mutant and wild-type skin revealed up-regulation of inflammation-associated genes. Furthermore, we found that Evi expression in psoriatic skin biopsies is down-regulated, suggesting that Evi-deficient mice developed skin lesions that resemble human psoriasis. Immune cell infiltration was detected in Evi-LOF skin. Interestingly, an age-dependent depletion of dendritic epidermal T cells (DETCs) and an infiltration of γδlow T cells in Evi mutant epidermis was observed. Collectively, the described inflammatory skin phenotype in Evi-deficient mice revealed an essential role of Wnt secretion in maintaining normal skin homeostasis by enabling a balanced epidermal-dermal cross talk, which affects immune cell recruitment and DETC survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Augustin
- Division of Signaling and Functional Genomics and 2 Division of Vascular Oncology and Metastasis, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
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29
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Ucar O, Tykocinski LO, Dooley J, Liston A, Kyewski B. An evolutionarily conserved mutual interdependence between Aire and microRNAs in promiscuous gene expression. Eur J Immunol 2013; 43:1769-78. [PMID: 23589212 PMCID: PMC3816332 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201343343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2013] [Revised: 03/12/2013] [Accepted: 04/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The establishment and maintenance of central tolerance depends to a large extent on the ability of medullary thymic epithelial cells to express a variety of tissue-restricted antigens, the so-called promiscuous gene expression (pGE). Autoimmune regulator (Aire) is to date the best characterised transcriptional regulator known to at least partially coordinate pGE. There is accruing evidence that the expression of Aire-dependent and -independent genes is modulated by higher order chromatin configuration, epigenetic modifications and post-transcriptional control. Given the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) as potent post-transcriptional modulators of gene expression, we investigated their role in the regulation of pGE in purified mouse and human thymic epithelial cells (TECs). Microarray profiling of TEC subpopulations revealed evolutionarily conserved cell type and differentiation-specific miRNA signatures with a subset of miRNAs being significantly upregulated during terminal medullary thymic epithelial cell differentiation. The differential regulation of this subset of miRNAs was correlated with Aire expression and some of these miRNAs were misexpressed in the Aire knockout thymus. In turn, the specific absence of miRNAs in TECs resulted in a progressive reduction of Aire expression and pGE, affecting both Aire-dependent and -independent genes. In contrast, the absence of miR-29a only affected the Aire-dependent gene pool. These findings reveal a mutual interdependence of miRNA and Aire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Ucar
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research CenterHeidelberg, Germany
| | | | - James Dooley
- Autoimmune Genetics Laboratory, VIBLeuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of LeuvenLeuven, Belgium
| | - Adrian Liston
- Autoimmune Genetics Laboratory, VIBLeuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of LeuvenLeuven, Belgium
| | - Bruno Kyewski
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research CenterHeidelberg, Germany
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30
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Ge Q, Zhao Y. Evolution of thymus organogenesis. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 39:85-90. [PMID: 22266420 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2012.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2011] [Revised: 01/06/2012] [Accepted: 01/06/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is the primary organ for functional T lymphocyte development in jawed vertebrates. A new study in the jawless fish, lampreys, indicates the existence of a primitive thymus in these surviving representatives of the most ancient vertebrates, providing strong evidence of co-evolution of T cells and thymus. This review summarizes the wealth of data that have been generated towards understanding the evolution of the thymus in the vertebrates. Progress in identifying genetic networks and cellular mechanisms that control thymus organogenesis in mammals and their evolution in lower species may inspire the development of new strategies for medical interventions targeting faulty thymus functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Ge
- Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xue Yuan Road, Beijing 100191, PR China.
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31
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Ma D, Wei Y, Liu F. Regulatory mechanisms of thymus and T cell development. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 39:91-102. [PMID: 22227346 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2011.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2011] [Revised: 12/22/2011] [Accepted: 12/22/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is a central hematopoietic organ which produces mature T lymphocytes with diverse antigen specificity. During development, the thymus primordium is derived from the third pharyngeal endodermal pouch, and then differentiates into cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells (TECs). TECs represent the primary functional cell type that forms the unique thymic epithelial microenvironment which is essential for intrathymic T-cell development, including positive selection, negative selection and emigration out of the thymus. Our understanding of thymopoiesis has been greatly advanced by using several important animal models. This review will describe progress on the molecular mechanisms involved in thymus and T cell development with particular focus on the signaling and transcription factors involved in this process in mouse and zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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32
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Rudloff S, Kemler R. Differential requirements for β-catenin during mouse development. Development 2012; 139:3711-21. [PMID: 22991437 DOI: 10.1242/dev.085597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Embryogenesis relies on the precise interplay of signaling cascades to activate tissue-specific differentiation programs. An important player in these morphogenetic processes is β-catenin, which is a central component of adherens junctions and canonical Wnt signaling. Lack of β-catenin is lethal before gastrulation, but mice heterozygous for β-catenin (Ctnnb1) develop as wild type. Here, we confine β-catenin amounts below the heterozygous expression level to study the functional consequences for development. We generate embryonic stem (ES) cells and embryos expressing β-catenin only from the ubiquitously active ROSA26 promoter and thereby limit β-catenin expression to ~12.5% (ROSA26(β/+)) or ~25% (ROSA26(β/β)) of wild-type levels. ROSA26(β/+) is sufficient to maintain ES cell morphology and pluripotent characteristics, but is insufficient to activate canonical target genes upon Wnt stimulation. This Wnt signaling deficiency is incompletely restored in ROSA26(β/β) ES cells. We conclude that even very low β-catenin levels are able to sustain cell adhesion, but not Wnt signaling. During development, ROSA26(β/β) as well as ROSA26(β/+) partially rescues the knockout phenotype, yet proper gastrulation is absent. These embryos differentiate according to the neural default hypothesis, indicating that gastrulation depends on high β-catenin levels. Strikingly, if ROSA26(β/+) or ROSA26(β/β) is first activated after gastrulation, subsequent development correlates with the dosage of β-catenin. Moreover, molecular evidence indicates that the amount of β-catenin controls the induction of specific Wnt target genes. In conclusion, by restricting its expression we determine the level of β-catenin required for adhesion or pluripotency and during different morphogenetic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Rudloff
- Max-Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Department of Molecular Embryology, 79108 Freiburg, Germany.
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33
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Foxn1 maintains thymic epithelial cells to support T-cell development via mcm2 in zebrafish. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:21040-5. [PMID: 23213226 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1217021110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is mainly comprised of thymic epithelial cells (TECs), which form the unique thymic epithelial microenvironment essential for intrathymic T-cell development. Foxn1, a member of the forkhead transcription factor family, is required for establishing a functional thymic rudiment. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the function of Foxn1 are still largely unclear. Here, we show that Foxn1 functions in thymus development through Mcm2 in the zebrafish. We demonstrate that, in foxn1 knockdown embryos, the thymic rudiment is reduced and T-cell development is impaired. Genome-wide expression profiling shows that a number of genes, including some known thymopoiesis genes, are dysregulated during the initiation of the thymus primordium and immigration of T-cell progenitors to the thymus. Functional and epistatic studies show that mcm2 and cdca7 are downstream of Foxn1, and mcm2 is a direct target gene of Foxn1 in TECs. Finally, we find that the thymus defects in foxn1 and mcm2 morphants might be attributed to reduced cell proliferation rather than apoptosis. Our results reveal that the foxn1-mcm2 axis plays a central role in the genetic regulatory network controlling thymus development in zebrafish.
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34
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Gardiner JR, Jackson AL, Gordon J, Lickert H, Manley NR, Basson MA. Localised inhibition of FGF signalling in the third pharyngeal pouch is required for normal thymus and parathyroid organogenesis. Development 2012; 139:3456-66. [PMID: 22912418 DOI: 10.1242/dev.079400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The thymus and parathyroid glands are derived from the third pharyngeal pouch endoderm. The mechanisms that establish distinct molecular domains in the third pouch and control the subsequent separation of these organ primordia from the pharynx are poorly understood. Here, we report that mouse embryos that lack two FGF feedback antagonists, Spry1 and Spry2, display parathyroid and thymus hypoplasia and a failure of these organ primordia to completely separate from the pharynx. We show that FGF ligands and downstream reporter genes are expressed in highly regionalised patterns in the third pouch and that sprouty gene deletion results in upregulated FGF signalling throughout the pouch endoderm. As a consequence, the initiation of markers of parathyroid and thymus fate is altered. In addition, a normal apoptotic programme that is associated with the separation of the primordia from the pharynx is disrupted, resulting in the maintenance of a thymus-pharynx attachment and a subsequent inability of the thymus to migrate to its appropriate position above the heart. We demonstrate that the sprouty genes function in the pharyngeal endoderm itself to control these processes and that the defects in sprouty-deficient mutants are, at least in part, due to hyper-responsiveness to Fgf8. Finally, we provide evidence to suggest that parathyroid hypoplasia in these mutants is due to early gene expression defects in the third pouch, whereas thymus hypoplasia is caused by reduced proliferation of thymic epithelial cells in the thymus primordium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Gardiner
- Department of Craniofacial Development, King's College London, 27th floor, Guy's Tower, London SE1 9RT, UK
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35
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Synergistic, context-dependent, and hierarchical functions of epithelial components in thymic microenvironments. Cell 2012; 149:159-72. [PMID: 22464328 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2012.01.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2011] [Revised: 11/02/2011] [Accepted: 01/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Specialized niche environments specify and maintain stem and progenitor cells, but little is known about the identities and functional interactions of niche components in vivo. Here, we describe a modular system for the generation of artificial thymopoietic environments in the mouse embryo. Thymic epithelium that lacks hematopoietic function but is physiologically accessible for hematopoietic progenitor cells is functionalized by individual and combinatorial expression of four factors, the chemokines Ccl25 and Cxcl12, the cytokine Scf, and the Notch ligand DLL4. The distinct phenotypes and variable numbers of hematopoietic cells in the resulting epithelial environments reveal synergistic, context-dependent, and hierarchical interactions among effector molecules. The surprisingly simple rules determining hematopoietic properties enable the in vivo engineering of artificial environments conducive to the presence of distinct myeloid or T or B lymphoid lineage precursors; moreover, synthetic environments facilitate the procurement of physiological progenitor cell types for analytical purposes and future therapeutic applications.
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36
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Boehm T, Hess I, Swann JB. Evolution of lymphoid tissues. Trends Immunol 2012; 33:315-21. [PMID: 22483556 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2012.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2011] [Revised: 02/16/2012] [Accepted: 02/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Lymphoid organs are integral parts of all vertebrate adaptive immune systems. Primary lymphoid tissues exhibit a remarkable functional dichotomy: T cells develop in specialized thymopoietic tissues located in the pharynx, whereas B cells develop in distinct areas of general hematopoietic areas, such as the kidney or bone marrow. Among secondary lymphoid tissues, the spleen is present in all vertebrates, whereas lymph nodes represent an innovation particular to mammals and some birds. A comparative analysis of anatomical, functional and genomic features thus reveals the core components of adaptive immune systems. Such information has guided recent attempts at reconstructing lymphopoietic functions in vivo and in the future might inspire the development of new strategies for medical interventions restoring and modulating immune functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Boehm
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stuebeweg 51, D-79108 Freiburg, Germany.
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37
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Neves H, Dupin E, Parreira L, Le Douarin NM. Modulation of Bmp4 signalling in the epithelial–mesenchymal interactions that take place in early thymus and parathyroid development in avian embryos. Dev Biol 2012; 361:208-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2011.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2011] [Revised: 10/02/2011] [Accepted: 10/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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38
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Passa O, Tsalavos S, Belyaev NN, Petryk A, Potocnik AJ, Graf D. Compartmentalization of bone morphogenetic proteins and their antagonists in lymphoid progenitors and supporting microenvironments and functional implications. Immunology 2011; 134:349-59. [PMID: 21978004 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2011.03495.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling regulates lymphopoiesis in bone marrow and thymus via the interaction of haemato-lymphoid progenitors with the stroma microenvironment. Despite increasing functional evidence for the role of BMP signalling in lymphopoiesis, little is known of the spatial distribution of BMP/BMP antagonists in the thymus and of how BMP signals exert specific functions in developing lymphocytes. We analysed expression of BMP/BMP antagonists in the thymus and bone marrow and determined the topology of BMP/BMP antagonist expression using lacZ reporter mice. Bmp4, Bmp7, Gremlin and Twisted gastrulation (Twsg1) are all expressed in the thymus and expression was clearly different for each gene investigated. Expression was seen both in cortical and medullary regions suggesting that BMP signals regulate all stages of T-cell development. Two genes in particular, Bmp7 and Twsg1, were dynamically expressed in developing T and B lymphocytes. Their conditional ablation in all haematopoietic cells surprisingly did not affect the steady state of B-cell and T-cell development. This indicates that both lymphoid cell-derived BMP7 and TWSG1 are dispensable for normal lymphopoiesis and that bone-marrow stroma-derived TWSG1 is responsible for the lymphoid defects observed in Twsg1 null mice. In summary our data demonstrate a complex network of lymphoid and stroma derived BMP signals involved in the orchestration of lymphopoiesis in both bone marrow and thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ourania Passa
- Institute of Immunology, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre Alexander Fleming, Vari, Greece
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39
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Gordon J, Manley NR. Mechanisms of thymus organogenesis and morphogenesis. Development 2011; 138:3865-78. [PMID: 21862553 DOI: 10.1242/dev.059998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The thymus is the primary organ responsible for generating functional T cells in vertebrates. Although T cell differentiation within the thymus has been an area of intense investigation, the study of thymus organogenesis has made slower progress. The past decade, however, has seen a renewed interest in thymus organogenesis, with the aim of understanding how the thymus develops to form a microenvironment that supports T cell maturation and regeneration. This has prompted modern revisits to classical experiments and has driven additional genetic approaches in mice. These studies are making significant progress in identifying the molecular and cellular mechanisms that control specification, early organogenesis and morphogenesis of the thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Gordon
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
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Aichinger M, Hinterberger M, Klein L. Probing gene function in thymic epithelial cells. Eur J Cell Biol 2011; 91:24-30. [PMID: 21392839 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2011.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2010] [Accepted: 01/22/2011] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) provide a highly specialized microenvironment for the generation of a functional and self-tolerant T cell repertoire. Much of our current view of TEC biology is derived from gain- or loss-of-function approaches, which have significantly contributed to our understanding of gene function in TEC development and T cell repertoire selection. Here, we will review transgenic and viral strategies that have been used to manipulate gene expression in TECs, highlight some of the shortcomings of particular currently available tools and provide a brief outline of our own attempts to more rapidly and/or more specifically assess gene function in TECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Aichinger
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Goethestrasse 31, Munich, Germany
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Thymopoiesis in mice depends on a Foxn1-positive thymic epithelial cell lineage. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010; 107:16613-8. [PMID: 20823228 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1004623107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The thymus is essential for T-cell development. Here, we focus on the role of the transcription factor Foxn1 in the development and function of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) of the mouse. TECs are of endodermal origin; they initially express Foxn1 and give rise to orthotopic (thoracic) and additional (cervical) thymi. Using Foxn1-directed cytoablation, we show that during embryogenesis, cervical thymi develop a few days after the thoracic lobes, and that bipotent epithelial progenitors of cortical and medullary compartments express Foxn1. We also show that following acute selective near-total ablation during embryogenesis, complete regeneration of TECs does not occur, providing an animal model for human thymic aplasia syndromes. Finally, we address the functional role of Foxn1-negative TECs that arise postnatally in the mouse. Lineage tracing shows that such Foxn1-negative TECs are descendants of Foxn1-positive progenitors; furthermore, Foxn1-directed subacute intoxication of TECs by polyglutamine-containing EGFP proteins indicates that a presumptive Foxn1-independent lineage does not contribute to thymopoietic function of the adult thymus. Our findings therefore support the notion that Foxn1 is the essential transcription factor regulating the differentiation of TECs and that its expression marks the major functional lineage of TECs in embryonic and adult thymic tissue.
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Lai L, Jin J. Generation of thymic epithelial cell progenitors by mouse embryonic stem cells. Stem Cells 2010; 27:3012-20. [PMID: 19824081 DOI: 10.1002/stem.238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Thymopoiesisis regulated by the thymic microenvironment, of which epithelial cells are the major components. Both cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells (TECs) have been shown to arise from a common progenitor cell. Here we show for the first time that mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) can be selectively induced in vitro to differentiate into cells that have the phenotype of thymic epithelial progenitors (TEPs). When placed in vivo, these mESC-derived TEPs self-renew, develop into TECs, and reconstitute the normal thymic architecture. Functionally, these ESC-derived TEPs enhanced thymocyte regeneration after bone marrow transplantation and increased the number of functional naive splenic T cells. In addition to providing a model to study the molecular events underlying thymic epithelial cell development, the ability to selectively induce the development of TEPs in vitro from mESCs has important implications regarding the prevention and/or treatment of primary and secondary T-cell immunodeficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laijun Lai
- Department of Immunology and, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, USA.
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Vroegindeweij E, Crobach S, Itoi M, Satoh R, Zuklys S, Happe C, Germeraad WT, Cornelissen JJ, Cupedo T, Holländer GA, Kawamoto H, van Ewijk W. Thymic cysts originate from Foxn1 positive thymic medullary epithelium. Mol Immunol 2010; 47:1106-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2009.10.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2009] [Revised: 10/26/2009] [Accepted: 10/28/2009] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Gordon J, Patel SR, Mishina Y, Manley NR. Evidence for an early role for BMP4 signaling in thymus and parathyroid morphogenesis. Dev Biol 2010; 339:141-54. [PMID: 20043899 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2009.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2008] [Revised: 12/16/2009] [Accepted: 12/17/2009] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The thymus and parathyroids are pharyngeal endoderm-derived organs that develop from common organ primordia, which undergo a series of morphological events resulting in separate organs in distinct locations in the embryo. Previous gene expression and functional analyses have suggested a role for BMP4 signaling in early thymus organogenesis. We have used conditional deletion of Bmp4 or Alk3 from the pharyngeal endoderm and/or the surrounding mesenchyme using Foxg1-Cre, Wnt1-Cre or Foxn1-Cre. Deleting Bmp4 from both neural crest cells (NCC) and early endoderm-derived epithelial cells in Foxg1-Cre;Bmp4 conditional mutants resulted in defects in thymus-parathyroid morphogenesis. Defects included reduced condensation of mesenchymal cells around the epithelium, partial absence of the thymic capsule, a delay in thymus and parathyroid separation, and failed or dramatically reduced organ migration. Patterning of the primordia and initial organ differentiation were not affected in any of the mutants. Deleting Bmp4 from NCC-derived mesenchyme or differentiating thymic epithelial cells (TECs) had no effects on thymus-parathyroid development, while loss of Alk3 from either neural crest cells or TECs resulted in only a mild thymic hypoplasia. these results show that the processes of cell specification and morphogenesis during thymus-parathyroid development are independently controlled, and suggest a specific temporal and spatial role for BMP4-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during early thymus and parathyroid morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Gordon
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Anderson G, Jenkinson EJ, Rodewald HR. A roadmap for thymic epithelial cell development. Eur J Immunol 2009; 39:1694-9. [DOI: 10.1002/eji.200939379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Recent Papers on Zebrafish and Other Aquarium Fish Models. Zebrafish 2008. [DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2008.9980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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