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Pardini E, Barachini S, Alì G, Infirri GS, Burzi IS, Montali M, Petrini I. Single-cell sequencing has revealed a more complex array of thymic epithelial cells. Immunol Lett 2024; 269:106904. [PMID: 39117004 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2024.106904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells participate in the maturation and selection of T lymphocytes. This review explores recent insights from single-cell sequencing regarding classifying thymic epithelial cells in both normal and neoplastic thymus. Cortical thymic epithelial cells facilitate thymocyte differentiation and contribute to positive selection. Medullary epithelial cells are distinguished by their expression of AIRE. Cells progress from a pre-AIRE state, containing precursors with cortical and medullary characteristics, termed junctional cells. Mature medullary epithelial cells exhibit promiscuous gene expression and after that downregulate AIRE mRNA. Post-AIRE cells can adopt a Hassall corpuscle-like phenotype or exhibit distinctive differentiation characteristics including tuft cells, ionocytes, neuroendocrine cells, and myoid cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Pardini
- Department of Translational Research and New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Barachini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Greta Alì
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gisella Sardo Infirri
- Department of Translational Research and New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Irene Sofia Burzi
- Department of Translational Research and New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marina Montali
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Iacopo Petrini
- Department of Translational Research and New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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2
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Artusa P, Nguyen Yamamoto L, Barbier C, Valbon SF, Aghazadeh Habashi Y, Djambazian H, Ismailova A, Lebel MÈ, Salehi-Tabar R, Sarmadi F, Ragoussis J, Goltzman D, Melichar HJ, White JH. Skewed epithelial cell differentiation and premature aging of the thymus in the absence of vitamin D signaling. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadm9582. [PMID: 39321290 PMCID: PMC11423877 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adm9582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Central tolerance of thymocytes to self-antigen depends on the medullary thymic epithelial cell (mTEC) transcription factor autoimmune regulator (Aire), which drives tissue-restricted antigen (TRA) gene expression. Vitamin D signaling regulates Aire and TRA expression in mTECs, providing a basis for links between vitamin D deficiency and autoimmunity. We find that mice lacking Cyp27b1, which cannot produce hormonally active vitamin D, display profoundly reduced thymic cellularity, with a reduced proportion of Aire+ mTECs, attenuated TRA expression, and poorly defined cortical-medullary boundaries. Markers of T cell negative selection are diminished, and organ-specific autoantibodies are present in knockout (KO) mice. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that loss of Cyp27b1 skews mTEC differentiation toward Ccl21+ intertypical TECs and generates a gene expression profile consistent with premature aging. KO thymi display accelerated involution and reduced expression of thymic longevity factors. Thus, loss of thymic vitamin D signaling disrupts normal mTEC differentiation and function and accelerates thymic aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricio Artusa
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal QC, Canada
| | - Loan Nguyen Yamamoto
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal QC, Canada
- Calcium Research Laboratory, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal QC, Canada
| | - Camille Barbier
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal QC, Canada
| | - Stefanie F Valbon
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Disease, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Haig Djambazian
- McGill University Genome Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Aiten Ismailova
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Lebel
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Fatemeh Sarmadi
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal QC, Canada
| | - Jiannis Ragoussis
- McGill University Genome Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - David Goltzman
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal QC, Canada
- Calcium Research Laboratory, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal QC, Canada
| | - Heather J Melichar
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - John H White
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal QC, Canada
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3
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Lagou MK, Argyris DG, Vodopyanov S, Gunther-Cummins L, Hardas A, Poutahidis T, Panorias C, DesMarais S, Entenberg C, Carpenter RS, Guzik H, Nishku X, Churaman J, Maryanovich M, DesMarais V, Macaluso FP, Karagiannis GS. Morphometric Analysis of the Thymic Epithelial Cell (TEC) Network Using Integrated and Orthogonal Digital Pathology Approaches. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.11.584509. [PMID: 38559037 PMCID: PMC10979902 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.11.584509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The thymus, a central primary lymphoid organ of the immune system, plays a key role in T cell development. Surprisingly, the thymus is quite neglected with regards to standardized pathology approaches and practices for assessing structure and function. Most studies use multispectral flow cytometry to define the dynamic composition of the thymus at the cell population level, but they are limited by lack of contextual insight. This knowledge gap hinders our understanding of various thymic conditions and pathologies, particularly how they affect thymic architecture, and subsequently, immune competence. Here, we introduce a digital pathology pipeline to address these challenges. Our approach can be coupled to analytical algorithms and utilizes rationalized morphometric assessments of thymic tissue, ranging from tissue-wide down to microanatomical and ultrastructural levels. This pipeline enables the quantitative assessment of putative changes and adaptations of thymic structure to stimuli, offering valuable insights into the pathophysiology of thymic disorders. This versatile pipeline can be applied to a wide range of conditions that may directly or indirectly affect thymic structure, ranging from various cytotoxic stimuli inducing acute thymic involution to autoimmune diseases, such as myasthenia gravis. Here, we demonstrate applicability of the method in a mouse model of age-dependent thymic involution, both by confirming established knowledge, and by providing novel insights on intrathymic remodeling in the aged thymus. Our orthogonal pipeline, with its high versatility and depth of analysis, promises to be a valuable and practical toolset for both basic and translational immunology laboratories investigating thymic function and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria K Lagou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, Montefiore-Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Dimitrios G Argyris
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, Montefiore-Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Integrated Imaging Program for Cancer Research, Montefiore-Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Stepan Vodopyanov
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, Montefiore-Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Leslie Gunther-Cummins
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Analytical Imaging Facility, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Montefiore-Einstein Comprehensive Cancer, Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Alexandros Hardas
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Theofilos Poutahidis
- Laboratory of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Christos Panorias
- Division of Statistics and Operational Research, Department of Mathematics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Sophia DesMarais
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Conner Entenberg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Randall S Carpenter
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Hillary Guzik
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Analytical Imaging Facility, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Montefiore-Einstein Comprehensive Cancer, Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Xheni Nishku
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Analytical Imaging Facility, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Montefiore-Einstein Comprehensive Cancer, Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Joseph Churaman
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Analytical Imaging Facility, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Montefiore-Einstein Comprehensive Cancer, Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Maria Maryanovich
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Montefiore-Einstein Comprehensive Cancer, Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Vera DesMarais
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Analytical Imaging Facility, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Montefiore-Einstein Comprehensive Cancer, Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Frank P Macaluso
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Analytical Imaging Facility, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Montefiore-Einstein Comprehensive Cancer, Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - George S Karagiannis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, Montefiore-Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Integrated Imaging Program for Cancer Research, Montefiore-Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Montefiore-Einstein Comprehensive Cancer, Center, Bronx, NY, USA
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4
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Tougaard P, Pérez MR, Steels W, Huysentruyt J, Verstraeten B, Vetters J, Divert T, Gonçalves A, Roelandt R, Takahashi N, Janssens S, Buus TB, Taghon T, Leclercq G, Vandenabeele P. Type 1 immunity enables neonatal thymic ILC1 production. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadh5520. [PMID: 38232171 PMCID: PMC10793954 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh5520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Acute thymic atrophy occurs following type 1 inflammatory conditions such as viral infection and sepsis, resulting in cell death and disruption of T cell development. However, the impact type 1 immunity has on thymic-resident innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) remains unclear. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed neonatal thymic-resident type 1 ILCs (ILC1s) as a unique and immature subset compared to ILC1s in other primary lymphoid organs. Culturing murine neonatal thymic lobes with the type 1 cytokines interleukin-12 (IL-12) and IL-18 resulted in a rapid expansion and thymic egress of KLRG1+CXCR6+ cytotoxic ILC1s. Live imaging showed the subcapsular thymic localization and exit of ILC1s following IL-12 + IL-18 stimulation. Similarly, murine cytomegalovirus infection in neonates resulted in thymic atrophy and subcapsular localization of thymic-resident ILC1s. Neonatal thymic grafting revealed that type 1 inflammation enhances the homing of cytokine-producing thymus-derived ILC1s to the liver and peritoneal cavity. Together, we show that type 1 immunity promotes the expansion and peripheral homing of thymic-derived ILC1s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Tougaard
- Cell death and Inflammation Unit, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mario R. Pérez
- Cell death and Inflammation Unit, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wolf Steels
- Cell death and Inflammation Unit, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jelle Huysentruyt
- Cell death and Inflammation Unit, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bruno Verstraeten
- Cell death and Inflammation Unit, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jessica Vetters
- Laboratory for ER Stress and Inflammation, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tatyana Divert
- Cell death and Inflammation Unit, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Amanda Gonçalves
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB BioImaging Core, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, Ghent 9052, Belgium
| | - Ria Roelandt
- Cell death and Inflammation Unit, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nozomi Takahashi
- Cell death and Inflammation Unit, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sophie Janssens
- Laboratory for ER Stress and Inflammation, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Terkild B. Buus
- LEO Foundation Skin Immunology Research Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tom Taghon
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Georges Leclercq
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Vandenabeele
- Cell death and Inflammation Unit, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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5
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Lee DY, Song WH, Lim YS, Lee C, Rajbongshi L, Hwang SY, Kim BS, Lee D, Song YJ, Kim HG, Yoon S. Fish Collagen Peptides Enhance Thymopoietic Gene Expression, Cell Proliferation, Thymocyte Adherence, and Cytoprotection in Thymic Epithelial Cells via Activation of the Nuclear Factor-κB Pathway, Leading to Thymus Regeneration after Cyclophosphamide-Induced Injury. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:531. [PMID: 37888466 PMCID: PMC10608061 DOI: 10.3390/md21100531] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolonged thymic involution results in decreased thymopoiesis and thymic output, leading to peripheral T-cell deficiency. Since the thymic-dependent pathway is the only means of generating fully mature T cells, the identification of strategies to enhance thymic regeneration is crucial in developing therapeutic interventions to revert immune suppression in immunocompromised patients. The present study clearly shows that fish collagen peptides (FCPs) stimulate activities of thymic epithelial cells (TECs), including cell proliferation, thymocyte adhesion, and the gene expression of thymopoietic factors such as FGF-7, IGF-1, BMP-4, VEGF-A, IL-7, IL-21, RANKL, LTβ, IL-22R, RANK, LTβR, SDF-1, CCL21, CCL25, CXCL5, Dll1, Dll4, Wnt4, CD40, CD80, CD86, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, FoxN1, leptin, cathepsin L, CK5, and CK8 through the NF-κB signal transduction pathway. Furthermore, our study also revealed the cytoprotective effects of FCPs on TECs against cyclophosphamide-induced cellular injury through the NF-κB signaling pathway. Importantly, FCPs exhibited a significant capability to facilitate thymic regeneration in mice after cyclophosphamide-induced damage via the NF-κB pathway. Taken together, this study sheds light on the role of FCPs in TEC function, thymopoiesis, and thymic regeneration, providing greater insight into the development of novel therapeutic strategies for effective thymus repopulation for numerous clinical conditions in which immune reconstitution is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Do Young Lee
- Department of Anatomy and Convergence Medical Sciences, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea
- Immune Reconstitution Research Center of Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Hoon Song
- Immune Reconstitution Research Center of Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea
- Department of Urology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital and Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye Seon Lim
- Department of Anatomy and Convergence Medical Sciences, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea
- Immune Reconstitution Research Center of Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea
| | - Changyong Lee
- Department of Anatomy and Convergence Medical Sciences, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea
- Immune Reconstitution Research Center of Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea
| | - Lata Rajbongshi
- Department of Anatomy and Convergence Medical Sciences, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea
- Immune Reconstitution Research Center of Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon Yeong Hwang
- Department of Anatomy and Convergence Medical Sciences, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea
- Immune Reconstitution Research Center of Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea
| | - Byoung Soo Kim
- School of Biomedical Convergence Engineering, Pusan National University, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongjun Lee
- Department of Convergence Medicine, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Jung Song
- Immune Reconstitution Research Center of Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital and Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwi-Gon Kim
- Immune Reconstitution Research Center of Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital and Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea
| | - Sik Yoon
- Department of Anatomy and Convergence Medical Sciences, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea
- Immune Reconstitution Research Center of Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea
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6
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He Y, Kim IK, Bian J, Polyzos A, Di Giammartino DC, Zhang YW, Luo J, Hernandez MO, Kedei N, Cam M, Borczuk AC, Lee T, Han Y, Conner EA, Wong M, Tillo DC, Umemura S, Chen V, Ruan L, White JB, Miranda IC, Awasthi PP, Altorki NK, Divakar P, Elemento O, Apostolou E, Giaccone G. A Knock-In Mouse Model of Thymoma With the GTF2I L424H Mutation. J Thorac Oncol 2022; 17:1375-1386. [PMID: 36049655 PMCID: PMC9691559 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2022.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The pathogenesis of thymic epithelial tumors remains largely unknown. We previously identified GTF2I L424H as the most frequently recurrent mutation in thymic epithelial tumors. Nevertheless, the precise role of this mutation in tumorigenesis of thymic epithelial cells is unclear. METHODS To investigate the role of GTF2I L424H mutation in thymic epithelial cells in vivo, we generated and characterized a mouse model in which the Gtf2i L424H mutation was conditionally knocked-in in the Foxn1+ thymic epithelial cells. Digital spatial profiling was performed on thymomas and normal thymic tissues with GeoMx-mouse whole transcriptome atlas. Immunohistochemistry staining was performed using both mouse tissues and human thymic epithelial tumors. RESULTS We observed that the Gtf2i mutation impairs development of the thymic medulla and maturation of medullary thymic epithelial cells in young mice and causes tumor formation in the thymus of aged mice. Cell cycle-related pathways, such as E2F targets and MYC targets, are enriched in the tumor epithelial cells. Results of gene set variation assay analysis revealed that gene signatures of cortical thymic epithelial cells and thymic epithelial progenitor cells are also enriched in the thymomas of the knock-in mice, which mirrors the human counterparts in The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Immunohistochemistry results revealed similar expression pattern of epithelial cell markers between mouse and human thymomas. CONCLUSIONS We have developed and characterized a novel thymoma mouse model. This study improves knowledge of the molecular drivers in thymic epithelial cells and provides a tool for further study of the biology of thymic epithelial tumors and for development of novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongfeng He
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - In-Kyu Kim
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Jing Bian
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Alexander Polyzos
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | | | - Yu-Wen Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia; New address: Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Ji Luo
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Maria O Hernandez
- Collaborative Protein Technology Resource, Office of Science and Technology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Noemi Kedei
- Collaborative Protein Technology Resource, Office of Science and Technology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Maggie Cam
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Alain C Borczuk
- Department of Pathology, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York; New address: Department of Pathology, Northwell Health, Greenvale, New York
| | - Trevor Lee
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Yumin Han
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | | | - Madeline Wong
- CCR Genomics Core, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Desiree C Tillo
- CCR Genomics Core, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Shigeki Umemura
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Vincent Chen
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Lydia Ruan
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jessica B White
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Ileana C Miranda
- Laboratory of Comparative Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, and The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Parirokh P Awasthi
- Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Laboratory Animal Sciences, Mouse Modeling & Cryopreservation, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Nasser K Altorki
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
| | | | - Olivier Elemento
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Effie Apostolou
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Giuseppe Giaccone
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York; Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia.
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7
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The unilateral involution in the thymus of a 96-year-old male leads to the preservation of structural integrity in one thymic lobe, as assessed by the expression of medullar and cortical antigens and the presence of CD3+ cells. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11734. [PMID: 36411931 PMCID: PMC9674545 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The process of thymic involution begins soon after birth and continues through adult life. Although evolutionary conserved in all vertebrates, the thymic involution has no defined kinetics. Little is known about the pace of its regression in humans, except that there is a marked increase of thymic involution after puberty. This report describes the unusual structural findings in the thymus of a 96-year-old male. The morphological parameters of the organ were evaluated using H&E and immunohistochemistry (IHC) techniques. The macroscopic examination showed a typical organ's weight and size, except that the right thymic lobe presented a well-preserved organ and the left lobe was significantly adiposed. The H&E staining of the thymic sections from the left and right lobes confirmed advanced thymic adiposity in the left lobe and preserved thymic epithelial space containing hematoxylin-stained cells in the right lobe. The multiplex immunostaining of the right lobe sections with antibodies specific to cytokeratins -14 and -8, CD3, and CD4 revealed the presence of medullar and cortical epithelium and mix population of CD3+/CD4+ and CD3+/CD4- T cells. The T cells were associated with the medulla but not with the cortex of the thymus. The immunostaining with an antibody to FoxN1 showed that the protein was expressed in the thymic epithelium. Taken together, we provide evidence that the thymus of a 96-year-old man involuted different kinetics in each of the two thymic lobes. Furthermore, the presence of CD3+/CD4+ and CD3+/CD4-cells gives a hand to the hypothesis that a pool of T-cells may associate with this primary lymphatic organ for as long as there is the available thymic epithelium and be a source of lymphocytes aiding adaptive immune responses to old age.
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Ibrahim MA, Khalifa AM, Mohamed AA, Galhom RA, Korayem HE, Abd El-Fadeal NM, Abd-Eltawab Tammam A, Khalifa MM, Elserafy OS, Abdel-Karim RI. Bone-Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Their Conditioned Media, and Olive Leaf Extract Protect against Cisplatin-Induced Toxicity by Alleviating Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis in Rats. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10090526. [PMID: 36136492 PMCID: PMC9504158 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10090526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic and renal damage is a cisplatin (Cis)-induced deleterious effect that is a major limiting factor in clinical chemotherapy. OBJECTIVES The current study was designed to investigate the influence of pretreatment with olive leaf extract (OLE), bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC), and their conditioned media (CM-MSC) against genotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and immunotoxicity induced by cisplatin in rats. METHODS The rats were randomly divided into six groups (six rats each) as follows: Control; OLE group, treated with OLE; Cis group, treated with a single intraperitoneal dose of Cis (7 mg/kg bw); Cis + OLE group, treated with OLE and cisplatin; Cis + CM-MSC group, treated with BM-MSC conditioned media and Cis; and Cis + MSC group, treated with BM-MSC in addition to Cis. RESULTS Cis resulted in a significant deterioration in hepatic and renal functions and histological structures. Furthermore, it increased inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decreased glutathione (GSH) content, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in hepatic and renal tissues. Furthermore, apoptosis was evident in rat tissues. A significant increase in serum 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), nitric oxide (NO) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and a decrease in lysozyme activity were detected in Cis-treated rats. OLE, CM-MSC, and BM-MSC have significantly ameliorated Cis-induced deterioration in hepatic and renal structure and function and improved oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, with preference to BM-MSC. Moreover, apoptosis was significantly inhibited, evident from the decreased expression of Bax and caspase-3 genes and upregulation of Bcl-2 proteins in protective groups as compared to Cis group. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that BM-MSC, CM-MSC, and OLE have beneficial effects in ameliorating cisplatin-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and genotoxicity in a rat model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahrous A. Ibrahim
- Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka 41412, Saudi Arabia
- Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University (SCU), Ismailia 41522, Egypt or
| | - Athar M. Khalifa
- Pathology Department, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka 41412, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alaa A. Mohamed
- Medical Biochemistry Division, Pathology Department, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka 41412, Saudi Arabia
- Medical Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62514, Egypt
| | - Rania A. Galhom
- Human Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University (SCU), Ismailia 41522, Egypt
- Center of Excellence in Molecular and Cellular Medicine (CEMCM), Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University (SCU), Ismailia 41522, Egypt
- Human Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Horeya E. Korayem
- Histology and Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University (SCU), Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Noha M. Abd El-Fadeal
- Center of Excellence in Molecular and Cellular Medicine (CEMCM), Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University (SCU), Ismailia 41522, Egypt
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University (SCU), Ismailia 41522, Egypt
- Oncology Diagnostic Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University (SCU), Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Abd-Eltawab Tammam
- Physiology Department, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka 41412, Saudi Arabia
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62514, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Mansour Khalifa
- Human Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
- Human Physiology Department, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11472, Saudi Arabia
| | - Osama S. Elserafy
- Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
- Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences Department, King Fahd Security College, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rehab I. Abdel-Karim
- Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University (SCU), Ismailia 41522, Egypt or
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Lagou MK, Anastasiadou DP, Karagiannis GS. A Proposed Link Between Acute Thymic Involution and Late Adverse Effects of Chemotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:933547. [PMID: 35844592 PMCID: PMC9283860 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.933547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiologic data suggest that cancer survivors tend to develop a protuberant number of adverse late effects, including second primary malignancies (SPM), as a result of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Besides the genotoxic potential of these drugs that directly inflict mutational burden on genomic DNA, the precise mechanisms contributing to SPM development are poorly understood. Cancer is nowadays perceived as a complex process that goes beyond the concept of genetic disease and includes tumor cell interactions with complex stromal and immune cell microenvironments. The cancer immunoediting theory offers an explanation for the development of nascent neoplastic cells. Briefly, the theory suggests that newly emerging tumor cells are mostly eliminated by an effective tissue immunosurveillance, but certain tumor variants may occasionally escape innate and adaptive mechanisms of immunological destruction, entering an equilibrium phase, where immunologic tumor cell death "equals" new tumor cell birth. Subsequent microenvironmental pressures and accumulation of helpful mutations in certain variants may lead to escape from the equilibrium phase, and eventually cause an overt neoplasm. Cancer immunoediting functions as a dedicated sentinel under the auspice of a highly competent immune system. This perspective offers the fresh insight that chemotherapy-induced thymic involution, which is characterized by the extensive obliteration of the sensitive thymic epithelial cell (TEC) compartment, can cause long-term defects in thymopoiesis and in establishment of diverse T cell receptor repertoires and peripheral T cell pools of cancer survivors. Such delayed recovery of T cell adaptive immunity may result in prolonged hijacking of the cancer immunoediting mechanisms, and lead to development of persistent and mortal infections, inflammatory disorders, organ-specific autoimmunity lesions, and SPMs. Acknowledging that chemotherapy-induced thymic involution is a potential risk factor for the emergence of SPM demarcates new avenues for the rationalized development of pharmacologic interventions to promote thymic regeneration in patients receiving cytoreductive chemotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria K. Lagou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Dimitra P. Anastasiadou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - George S. Karagiannis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, United States
- Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, United States
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
- Integrated Imaging Program, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
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10
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Structural and Functional Thymic Biomarkers Are Involved in the Pathogenesis of Thymic Epithelial Tumors: An Overview. IMMUNO 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/immuno2020025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The normal human thymus originates from the third branchial cleft as two paired anlages that descend into the thorax and fuse on the midline of the anterior–superior mediastinum. Alongside the epithelial and lymphoid components, different types of lymphoid accessory cells, stromal mesenchymal and endothelial cells migrate to, or develop in, the thymus. After reaching maximum development during early postnatal life, the human thymus decreases in size and lymphocyte output drops with age. However, thymic immunological functions persist, although they deteriorate progressively. Several major techniques were fundamental to increasing the knowledge of thymic development and function during embryogenesis, postnatal and adult life; these include immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, in vitro colony assays, transplantation in mice models, fetal organ cultures (FTOC), re-aggregated thymic organ cultures (RTOC), and whole-organ thymic scaffolds. The thymic morphological and functional characterization, first performed in the mouse, was then extended to humans. The purpose of this overview is to provide a report on selected structural and functional biomarkers of thymic epithelial cells (TEC) involved in thymus development and lymphoid cell maturation, and on the historical aspects of their characterization, with particular attention being paid to biomarkers also involved in Thymic Epithelial Tumor (TET) pathogenesis. Moreover, a short overview of targeted therapies in TET, based on currently available experimental and clinical data and on potential future advances will be proposed.
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11
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Farini A, Sitzia C, Villa C, Cassani B, Tripodi L, Legato M, Belicchi M, Bella P, Lonati C, Gatti S, Cerletti M, Torrente Y. Defective dystrophic thymus determines degenerative changes in skeletal muscle. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2099. [PMID: 33833239 PMCID: PMC8032677 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22305-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), sarcolemma fragility and myofiber necrosis produce cellular debris that attract inflammatory cells. Macrophages and T-lymphocytes infiltrate muscles in response to damage-associated molecular pattern signalling and the release of TNF-α, TGF-β and interleukins prevent skeletal muscle improvement from the inflammation. This immunological scenario was extended by the discovery of a specific response to muscle antigens and a role for regulatory T cells (Tregs) in muscle regeneration. Normally, autoimmunity is avoided by autoreactive T-lymphocyte deletion within thymus, while in the periphery Tregs monitor effector T-cells escaping from central regulatory control. Here, we report impairment of thymus architecture of mdx mice together with decreased expression of ghrelin, autophagy dysfunction and AIRE down-regulation. Transplantation of dystrophic thymus in recipient nude mice determine the up-regulation of inflammatory/fibrotic markers, marked metabolic breakdown that leads to muscle atrophy and loss of force. These results indicate that involution of dystrophic thymus exacerbates muscular dystrophy by altering central immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Farini
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Unit of Neurology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Centro Dino Ferrari, Milan, Italy
| | - Clementina Sitzia
- Residency Program in Clinical Pathology and Clinical Biochemistry, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Villa
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Unit of Neurology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Centro Dino Ferrari, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Cassani
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche-Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (CNR-IRGB), Milan Unit, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas clinical and research center, Rozzano, 20089, Milan, Italy
| | - Luana Tripodi
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Unit of Neurology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Centro Dino Ferrari, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariella Legato
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Unit of Neurology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Centro Dino Ferrari, Milan, Italy
| | - Marzia Belicchi
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Unit of Neurology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Centro Dino Ferrari, Milan, Italy
| | - Pamela Bella
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Unit of Neurology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Centro Dino Ferrari, Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Lonati
- Center for Surgical Research, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Gatti
- Center for Surgical Research, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Cerletti
- UCL Research Department for Surgical Biotechnology, University College London, London, UK
- UCL Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Yvan Torrente
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Unit of Neurology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Centro Dino Ferrari, Milan, Italy.
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12
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Almaghrabi S, Azzouz M, Tazi Ahnini R. AAV9-mediated AIRE gene delivery clears circulating antibodies and tissue T-cell infiltration in a mouse model of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type-1. Clin Transl Immunology 2020; 9:e1166. [PMID: 32994995 PMCID: PMC7507015 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type-1 (APS-1) is a monogenic recessive disorder characterised by multiple endocrine abnormalities, chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis and high titres of serum autoantibodies. To date, no curative treatment is available; current therapies manage the symptoms rather than treating the cause and have major side effects. APS-1 is caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene. AIRE mediates central tolerance by directing the ectopic expression of tissue-specific antigens (TSAs) in medullary thymic epithelial cells, causing the deletion of self-reactive thymocytes. Therefore, loss-of-function mutations in AIRE result in a multisystem autoimmune disease. Because of the monogenic aetiology of APS-1 and availability of an APS-1 mouse model, we have explored the option of restoring functional AIRE using adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9). METHODS The efficacy of AAV9-AIRE (AAV9 carrying AIRE cDNA) gene therapy was assessed in an APS-1 mouse model. We performed intrathymic injection of AAV9-AIRE into APS-1 mouse model using ultrasound imaging technique to accurately locating the thymus. We evaluated the efficiency of this approach alongside measures of autoimmunity and histology of target tissues. RESULTS Intrathymic injection of AAV9-AIRE demonstrated high transduction efficiency and restored AIRE expression in the thymus. AIRE gene delivery led to a significant increase in TSA expression, and importantly a significant reduction of serum autoantibodies in treated versus control mice, which fell to near-undetectable levels by 4 weeks post-treatment. Furthermore, histological analysis of treated animals showed near-normal tissue morphology with no lymphocytic infiltrations, a hallmark of untreated Aire-deficient mice. CONCLUSION This study has demonstrated the feasibility of AAV9-AIRE as a vehicle for gene therapy for APS-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Almaghrabi
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular DiseaseUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
- Faculty of Applied Medical SciencesKing Abdulaziz UniversityJeddahSaudi Arabia
| | - Mimoun Azzouz
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITRaN)Department of NeuroscienceThe Medical SchoolUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Rachid Tazi Ahnini
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular DiseaseUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
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13
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Abstract
Understanding the pathogenesis of certain viral agents is essential for developing new treatments and obtaining a clinical cure. With the onset of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in the beginning of 2020, a rush to conduct studies and develop drugs has led to the publication of articles that seek to address knowledge gaps and contribute to the global scientific research community. There are still no reports on the infectivity or repercussions of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the central lymphoid organ, the thymus, nor on thymocytes or thymic epithelial cells. In this brief review, we present a hypothesis about lymphopenia observed in SARS patients and the probable pathological changes that the thymus may undergo due to this new virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin Paulo Lins
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas - Maceió/AL, Brazil.,Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Salete Smaniotto
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas - Maceió/AL, Brazil.,Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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14
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Tomonari Y, Sato J, Yamada N, Kurotaki T, Doi T, Kanno T, Tsuchitani M. Immunohistochemical Characteristics of Thymomas and Hyperplastic Lesions in Wistar Hannover Rats. Toxicol Pathol 2020; 48:649-655. [PMID: 32508247 DOI: 10.1177/0192623320922849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Previously, we investigated the higher incidence of hyperplastic lesions and thymomas and histopathological resemblance of cortex-medullary structures between thymomas and normal thymuses in Wistar Hannover (WH) rats. Thymomas had pale-staining cell foci (PA) similar to medulla but without lymphocytes. Here, we focused on the differences in cytokeratin (CK) expression in the thymic epithelia of the cortex and medulla and compared the structures of thymomas and normal thymuses. Thymomas, hyperplastic lesions, and normal thymuses obtained from background studies of WH rats were stained with antibodies against CK14, CK18, and CD20. In normal thymuses, the epithelial cells were positive for CK14 in the medulla and subcapsular area and for CK18 in the cortex, B-cells were positive for CD20 in the medulla. In thymomas, the epithelial cells were positive for CK14 in the medullary differentiation (MD) areas and for CK18 in the cortex-like lymphocyte rich and PA, and B-cells were positive for CD20 in the MD areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Tomonari
- Pathology Department, Nonclinical Research Center, LSI Medience Corporation, Kamisu-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Junko Sato
- Pathology Department, Nonclinical Research Center, LSI Medience Corporation, Kamisu-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Naoaki Yamada
- Pathology Department, Nonclinical Research Center, LSI Medience Corporation, Kamisu-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Kurotaki
- Pathology Department, Nonclinical Research Center, LSI Medience Corporation, Kamisu-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Takuya Doi
- Pathology Department, Nonclinical Research Center, LSI Medience Corporation, Kamisu-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Takeshi Kanno
- Pathology Department, Nonclinical Research Center, LSI Medience Corporation, Kamisu-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Minoru Tsuchitani
- Pathology Department, Nonclinical Research Center, LSI Medience Corporation, Kamisu-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
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15
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Hale LP, Neff J, Cheatham L, Cardona D, Markert ML, Kurtzberg J. Histopathologic assessment of cultured human thymus. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230668. [PMID: 32208448 PMCID: PMC7093005 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The maintenance and propagation of complex mixtures of cells in vitro in the form of native organs or engineered organoids has contributed to understanding mechanisms of cell and organ development and function which can be translated into therapeutic benefits. For example, allogeneic cultured postnatal human thymus tissue has been shown to support production of naïve recipient T cells when transplanted into patients with complete DiGeorge anomaly and other genetic defects that result in congenital lack of a thymus. Patients receiving such transplants typically exhibit reversal of their immunodeficiency and normalization of their peripheral blood T cell receptor V-beta repertoire, with long-term survival. This study was designed to assess the histopathologic changes that occur in postnatal human thymus slices when cultured according to protocols used for transplanted tissues. Results showed that as thymic organ cultures progressed from days 0 through 21, slices developed increasing amounts of necrosis, increasing condensation of thymic epithelium, and decreasing numbers of residual T cells. The architecture of the thymic epithelial network remained generally well-preserved throughout the 21 days of culture, with focal expression of cytokeratin 14, a putative biomarker of thymic epithelial cells with long-term organ-repopulating potential. All organ slices derived from the same donor thymus closely resembled one another, with minor differences in size, shape, and relative content of cortex versus medulla. Similarly, slices derived from different donors showed similar histopathologic characteristics when examined at the same culture time point. Taken together, these results demonstrate that diagnostic criteria based on structural features of the tissue identifiable via hematoxylin and eosin staining and cytokeratin immunohistochemistry can be used to evaluate the quality of slices transplanted into patients with congenital athymia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura P. Hale
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jadee Neff
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Lynn Cheatham
- Marcus Center for Cellular Cures, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Diana Cardona
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - M. Louise Markert
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Joanne Kurtzberg
- Marcus Center for Cellular Cures, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
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16
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Anisimov VN, Labunets IF, Popovich IG, Tyndyk ML, Yurova MN, Golubev AG. In mice transgenic for IGF1 under keratin-14 promoter, lifespan is decreased and the rates of aging and thymus involution are accelerated. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 11:2098-2110. [PMID: 30981207 PMCID: PMC6503882 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
IGF1 signaling is supposedly a key lifespan determinant in metazoans. However, controversial lifespan data were obtained with different means used to modify IGF1 or its receptor (IGF1R) expression in mice. The emerging puzzle lacks pieces of evidence needed to construct a coherent picture. We add to the available evidence by using the Gompertz model (GM), with account for the artifactual component of the Strehler-Mildvan correlation between its parameters, to compare the survival patterns of female FVB/N and FVB/N-derived K14/mIGF1 mice. In K14/mIGF1 vs. FVB/N mice, the rate of aging (γ) is markedly increased without concomitant changes in the initial mortality (μ0). In published cases where IGF1 signaling was altered by modifying liver or muscle IGF1 or whole body IGF1R expression, lifespan changes are attributable to μ0. The accelerated aging and associated tumor yield in K14/mIGF1 mice are consistent with the finding that the age-associated decreases in thymus weight and serum thymulin are accelerated in K14/mIGF1 mice. Our results underscore the importance of accounting for the mathematical artifacts of data fitting to GM in attempts to resolve discrepancies in survival data and to differentiate the contributions of the initial mortality and the rate of aging to changes in lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir N Anisimov
- Department of Carcinogenesis and Oncogerontology, N.N. Petrov National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Saint Petersburg 197758, Russia
| | - Irina F Labunets
- Laboratory of Experimental Models, State Institute of Genetic and Regenerative Medicine, National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kiev 04114, Ukraine
| | - Irina G Popovich
- Department of Carcinogenesis and Oncogerontology, N.N. Petrov National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Saint Petersburg 197758, Russia
| | - Margarita L Tyndyk
- Department of Carcinogenesis and Oncogerontology, N.N. Petrov National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Saint Petersburg 197758, Russia
| | - Maria N Yurova
- Department of Carcinogenesis and Oncogerontology, N.N. Petrov National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Saint Petersburg 197758, Russia
| | - Alexey G Golubev
- Department of Carcinogenesis and Oncogerontology, N.N. Petrov National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Saint Petersburg 197758, Russia
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17
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Abass MA, Selim SA, Selim AO, El-Shal AS, Gouda ZA. Effect of orally administered zinc oxide nanoparticles on albino rat thymus and spleen. IUBMB Life 2017; 69:528-539. [PMID: 28589695 DOI: 10.1002/iub.1638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the toxicological effects of oral intake of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on the structure of thymus and spleen. Twenty-four young male Wistar albino rats were assigned into two groups: group I (control) and group II (ZnO NPs treated group).The thymus and spleen were analyzed biochemically, histopathologically and immunohistochemically. After ZnO NPs intake, hematologically, the total leucocytic count was significantly increased while the RBCs and platelets counts and Hb % were significantly decreased. Biochemically, a significant decrease in serum total antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin 4 and 10 (IL-4 and IL-10) levels was noted. While a significant increase in splenic and thymic malondialdehyde (MDA) and DNA shearing, as well as the studied proinflammatory cytokines; IL-1β, tumor necrotic factor (TNF-α) and interferon (INF-γ) levels was detected. Notably, we noted upregulation of the immunomodulatory [CD3, CD11b, heme oxygenase (HO-1)] and the inflammatory [toll-like receptor 4 and 6 (TLR4 and TLR6)] genes. Histopathologically, degenerative changes were detected in thymus and spleen of ZnO NPs treated group. While the immunohistochemical analysis of the ZnO NPs treated group revealed a decrease in the number of cells expressed positive reactions of anti-PCNA and an increase in the number of cells expressed positive reaction of anti-p53 in the thymus and spleen. In conclusion, ZnO NPs induced obvious immunotoxicity in the thymus and spleen, where oxidative/inflammatory pathway may be the potential mechanism underlying this immunotoxicity. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(7):528-539, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa A Abass
- Department of Forensic Medicine & Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Sally A Selim
- Department of Histology & Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Assmaa O Selim
- Department of Histology & Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Amal S El-Shal
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Zienab A Gouda
- Department of Histology & Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
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18
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Ansari AR, Liu H. Acute Thymic Involution and Mechanisms for Recovery. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2017; 65:401-420. [PMID: 28331940 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-017-0462-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Acute thymic involution (ATI) is usually regarded as a virulence trait. It is caused by several infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi) and other factors, including stress, pregnancy, malnutrition and chemotherapy. However, the complex mechanisms that operate during ATI differ substantially from each other depending on the causative agent. For instance, a transient reduction in the size and weight of the thymus and depletion of populations of T cell subsets are hallmarks of ATI in many cases, whereas severe disruption of the anatomical structure of the organ is also associated with some factors, including fungal, parasitic and viral infections. However, growing evidence shows that ATI may be therapeutically halted or reversed. In this review, we highlight the current progress in this field with respect to numerous pathological factors and discuss the possible mechanisms. Moreover, these new observations also show that ATI can be mechanistically reversed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdur Rahman Ansari
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (CVAS), Jhang, Pakistan.,University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Huazhen Liu
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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Song Y, Sullivan T, Klarmann K, Gilbert D, O’Sullivan TN, Lu L, Wang S, Haines DC, Van Dyke T, Keller JR. RB inactivation in keratin 18 positive thymic epithelial cells promotes non-cell autonomous T cell hyperproliferation in genetically engineered mice. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0171510. [PMID: 28158249 PMCID: PMC5291521 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TEC), as part of thymic stroma, provide essential growth factors/cytokines and self-antigens to support T cell development and selection. Deletion of Rb family proteins in adult thymic stroma leads to T cell hyperplasia in vivo. To determine whether deletion of Rb specifically in keratin (K) 18 positive TEC was sufficient for thymocyte hyperplasia, we conditionally inactivated Rb and its family members p107 and p130 in K18+ TEC in genetically engineered mice (TgK18GT121; K18 mice). We found that thymocyte hyperproliferation was induced in mice with Rb inactivation in K18+ TEC, while normal T cell development was maintained; suggesting that inactivation of Rb specifically in K18+ TEC was sufficient and responsible for the phenotype. Transplantation of wild type bone marrow cells into mice with Rb inactivation in K18+ TEC resulted in donor T lymphocyte hyperplasia confirming the non-cell autonomous requirement for Rb proteins in K18+ TEC in regulating T cell proliferation. Our data suggests that thymic epithelial cells play an important role in regulating lymphoid proliferation and thymus size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurong Song
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Teresa Sullivan
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kimberly Klarmann
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Debra Gilbert
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - T. Norene O’Sullivan
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Lucy Lu
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sophie Wang
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Diana C. Haines
- Pathology/ Histotechnology Laboratory, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Terry Van Dyke
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jonathan R. Keller
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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20
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Terayama Y, Matsuura T, Ozaki K. Malignant mast cell tumor of the thymus in an Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat. J Toxicol Pathol 2016; 30:63-67. [PMID: 28190926 PMCID: PMC5293693 DOI: 10.1293/tox.2016-0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A 152-week-old male Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat kept as a non-treated animal in
a long-term animal study presented with a soft mass in the anterior mediastinum, which
adhered to the pleura of the lung. Histopathologically, the mass mainly consisted of round
to short spindle-shaped tumor cells that had infiltrated through the hyperplastic thymic
tissue. The tumor cells were arranged in loose to dense sheets. Nuclei were moderate in
size and round to spindle-shaped, with small nucleoli. Almost all tumor cells exhibited
abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, including eosinophilic granules of a range of sizes. The
granules of tumor cells exhibited metachromasia with toluidine blue stain and were
positive for c-kit and mast cell protease II. These findings indicate that the tumor
described here represents a rare case of spontaneous malignant mast cell tumor with thymic
epithelial hyperplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yui Terayama
- Laboratory of Pathology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, 45-1 Nagaotoge-cho, Hirakata, Osaka 573-0101, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Matsuura
- Laboratory of Pathology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, 45-1 Nagaotoge-cho, Hirakata, Osaka 573-0101, Japan
| | - Kiyokazu Ozaki
- Laboratory of Pathology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, 45-1 Nagaotoge-cho, Hirakata, Osaka 573-0101, Japan
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21
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Gupta R, Gupta T, Kaur H, Sehgal S, Aggarwal A, Kapoor K, Sharma A, Sahni D, Singla S. Cytokeratin (CK5, CK8, CK14) expression and presence of progenitor stem cells in human fetal thymuses. Clin Anat 2016; 29:711-7. [DOI: 10.1002/ca.22736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Richa Gupta
- Department of Anatomy; Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER); Chandigarh India
| | - Tulika Gupta
- Department of Anatomy; Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER); Chandigarh India
| | - Harjeet Kaur
- Department of Anatomy; Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER); Chandigarh India
| | | | - Anjali Aggarwal
- Department of Anatomy; Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER); Chandigarh India
| | - Kanchan Kapoor
- Deptt of Anatomy; Govt. Medical College & Hospital (GMCH - 32); Chandigarh India
| | - Anshu Sharma
- Deptt of Anatomy; Govt. Medical College & Hospital (GMCH - 32); Chandigarh India
| | - Daisy Sahni
- Department of Anatomy; Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER); Chandigarh India
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Loss of Pten Disrupts the Thymic Epithelium and Alters Thymic Function. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0149430. [PMID: 26914657 PMCID: PMC4767252 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is the site of T cell development and selection. In addition to lymphocytes, the thymus is composed of several types of stromal cells that are exquisitely organized to create the appropriate environment and microenvironment to support the development and selection of maturing T cells. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are one of the more important cell types in the thymic stroma, and they play a critical role in selecting functional T cell clones and supporting their development. In this study, we used a mouse genetics approach to investigate the consequences of deleting the Pten tumor suppressor gene in the TEC compartment of the developing thymus. We found that PTEN deficiency in TECs results in a smaller thymus with significantly disordered architecture and histology. Accordingly, loss of PTEN function also results in decreased T cells with a shift in the distribution of T cell subtypes towards CD8+ T cells. These experiments demonstrate that PTEN is critically required for the development of a functional thymic epithelium in mice. This work may help better understand the effects that certain medical conditions or clinical interventions have upon the thymus and immune function.
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Tajima A, Liu W, Pradhan I, Bertera S, Bagia C, Trucco M, Meng WS, Fan Y. Bioengineering mini functional thymic units with EAK16-II/EAKIIH6 self-assembling hydrogel. Clin Immunol 2015; 160:82-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2015.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2015] [Revised: 03/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Sawanobori Y, Ueta H, Dijkstra CD, Park CG, Satou M, Kitazawa Y, Matsuno K. Three distinct subsets of thymic epithelial cells in rats and mice defined by novel antibodies. PLoS One 2014; 9:e109995. [PMID: 25334032 PMCID: PMC4204869 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are thought to play an essential role in T cell development and have been detected mainly in mice using lectin binding and antibodies to keratins. Our aim in the present study was to create a precise map of rat TECs using antibodies to putative markers and novel monoclonal antibodies (i.e., ED 18/19/21 and anti-CD205 antibodies) and compare it with a map from mouse counterparts and that of rat thymic dendritic cells. RESULTS Rat TECs were subdivided on the basis of phenotype into three subsets; ED18+ED19+/-keratin 5 (K5)+K8+CD205+ class II MHC (MHCII)+ cortical TECs (cTECs), ED18+ED21-K5-K8+Ulex europaeus lectin 1 (UEA-1)+CD205- medullary TECs (mTEC1s), and ED18+ED21+K5+K8dullUEA-1-CD205- medullary TECs (mTEC2s). Thymic nurse cells were defined in cytosmears as an ED18+ED19+/-K5+K8+ subset of cTECs. mTEC1s preferentially expressed MHCII, claudin-3, claudin-4, and autoimmune regulator (AIRE). Use of ED18 and ED21 antibodies revealed three subsets of TECs in mice as well. We also detected two distinct TEC-free areas in the subcapsular cortex and in the medulla. Rat dendritic cells in the cortex were MHCII+CD103+ but negative for TEC markers, including CD205. Those in the medulla were MHCII+CD103+ and CD205+ cells were found only in the TEC-free area. CONCLUSION Both rats and mice have three TEC subsets with similar phenotypes that can be identified using known markers and new monoclonal antibodies. These findings will facilitate further analysis of TEC subsets and DCs and help to define their roles in thymic selection and in pathological states such as autoimmune disorders.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology
- Antigens, CD/immunology
- Antigens, CD/metabolism
- Cells, Cultured
- Claudin-3/immunology
- Claudin-3/metabolism
- Claudin-4/immunology
- Claudin-4/metabolism
- Epithelial Cells/cytology
- Epithelial Cells/metabolism
- Epithelial Cells/pathology
- Female
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class II/immunology
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class II/metabolism
- Keratin-5/immunology
- Keratin-5/metabolism
- Keratin-8/immunology
- Keratin-8/metabolism
- Lectins, C-Type/immunology
- Lectins, C-Type/metabolism
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
- Phenotype
- Plant Lectins/immunology
- Plant Lectins/metabolism
- Rats
- Rats, Inbred Lew
- Receptors, Cell Surface/immunology
- Receptors, Cell Surface/metabolism
- Thymus Gland/cytology
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasushi Sawanobori
- Department of Anatomy (Macro), Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Hiashi Ueta
- Department of Anatomy (Macro), Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Christine D. Dijkstra
- Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Chae Gyu Park
- Laboratory of Immunology, Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Motoyasu Satou
- Department of Biochemistry, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Yusuke Kitazawa
- Department of Anatomy (Macro), Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Kenjiro Matsuno
- Department of Anatomy (Macro), Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Cholinergic epithelial cell with chemosensory traits in murine thymic medulla. Cell Tissue Res 2014; 358:737-48. [PMID: 25300645 PMCID: PMC4233111 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-014-2002-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Specialized epithelial cells with a tuft of apical microvilli (“brush cells”) sense luminal content and initiate protective reflexes in response to potentially harmful substances. They utilize the canonical taste transduction cascade to detect “bitter” substances such as bacterial quorum-sensing molecules. In the respiratory tract, most of these cells are cholinergic and are approached by cholinoceptive sensory nerve fibers. Utilizing two different reporter mouse strains for the expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), we observed intense labeling of a subset of thymic medullary cells. ChAT expression was confirmed by in situ hybridization. These cells showed expression of villin, a brush cell marker protein, and ultrastructurally exhibited lateral microvilli. They did not express neuroendocrine (chromogranin A, PGP9.5) or thymocyte (CD3) markers but rather thymic epithelial (CK8, CK18) markers and were immunoreactive for components of the taste transduction cascade such as Gα-gustducin, transient receptor potential melastatin-like subtype 5 channel (TRPM5), and phospholipase Cβ2. Reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction confirmed the expression of Gα-gustducin, TRPM5, and phospholipase Cβ2. Thymic “cholinergic chemosensory cells” were often in direct contact with medullary epithelial cells expressing the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit α3. These cells have recently been identified as terminally differentiated epithelial cells (Hassall’s corpuscle-like structures in mice). Contacts with nerve fibers (identified by PGP9.5 and CGRP antibodies), however, were not observed. Our data identify, in the thymus, a previously unrecognized presumptive chemosensitive cell that probably utilizes acetylcholine for paracrine signaling. This cell might participate in intrathymic infection-sensing mechanisms.
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Multilineage Potential and Self-Renewal Define an Epithelial Progenitor Cell Population in the Adult Thymus. Cell Rep 2014; 8:1198-209. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Revised: 05/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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Terminally differentiated epithelial cells of the thymic medulla and skin express nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit α 3. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:757502. [PMID: 25105141 PMCID: PMC4101970 DOI: 10.1155/2014/757502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2014] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In the thymus, T cell maturation is influenced by cholinergic signaling, and the predominantly expressed receptor is the α3-subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, encoded by the chrna3 gene. We here determined its cellular distribution utilizing an appropriate eGFP-expressing reporter mouse strain. Neither T cells (CD4, CD8) nor mesenchymal cells (desmin-positive) expressed eGFP. In the thymic medulla, eGFP-positive cells either were scattered or, more frequently, formed small clusters resembling Hassall's corpuscles. Immunolabeling revealed that these cells were indeed terminally differentiated epithelial cells expressing keratin 10 (K10) but neither typical cortical (K8, K18) nor medullary keratins (K5, K14). These labeling patterns reflected those in the epidermis of the skin, where overlap of K10 and eGFP expression was seen in the stratum granulosum, whereas underlying basal cells displayed K5-immunoreactivity. A substantial portion of thymic eGFP-positive cells was also immunoreactive to chromogranin A, a peptide previously reported in epidermal keratinocytes in the stratum granulosum. Its fragment catestatin has multiple biological activities, including suppression of proinflammatory cytokine release from macrophages and inhibition of α3β4 nAChR. The present findings suggest that its thymic production and/or release are under cholinergic control involving nAChR containing the α3-subunit.
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Intrathymic progenitor cell transplantation across histocompatibility barriers results in the persistence of early thymic progenitors and T-cell differentiation. Blood 2013; 121:2144-53. [PMID: 23305740 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2012-08-447417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Donor hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) can correct T-cell deficiencies in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency by replacing resident thymus cells. However, as those progenitors that naturally migrate to the thymus are not capable of supporting long-term thymopoiesis, a successful transplant is thought to require the ongoing migration of donor progenitors. We previously showed that the forced intrathymic administration of histocompatible HSCs can sustain long-term thymopoiesis in ZAP-70-immunodeficient mice. However, it is not known whether T-cell reconstitution across histocompatibility barriers is modulated by intrathymic vs intravenous administration of HSCs. In the absence of conditioning, long-term thymopoiesis by semiallogeneic progenitors was detected in mice transplanted via the intrathymic, but not the intravenous, route. In intrathymic-transplanted mice, ongoing thymopoiesis was associated with a 10-fold higher level of early thymic progenitors (ETPs). The enhanced reconstitution capacity of these intrathymic-derived ETPs was corroborated by their significantly augmented myeloid lineage potential compared with endogenous ETPs. Notably, though, myeloablative conditioning resulted in a reduced expansion of intrathymic-administered donor ETPs. Thus, in the absence of conditioning, the forced thymic entry of HSCs results in a sustained T-cell development across histocompatibility barriers, highlighting the capacity of the thymus to support cells with long-term renewal potential.
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Seach N, Wong K, Hammett M, Boyd RL, Chidgey AP. Purified enzymes improve isolation and characterization of the adult thymic epithelium. J Immunol Methods 2012; 385:23-34. [PMID: 22910002 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2012.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2012] [Revised: 07/28/2012] [Accepted: 07/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The reproducible isolation and accurate characterization of thymic epithelial cell (TEC) subsets is of critical importance to the ongoing study of thymopoiesis and its functional decline with age. The study of adult TEC, however, is significantly hampered due to the severely low stromal to hematopoietic cell ratio. Non-biased digestion and enrichment protocols are thus essential to ensure optimal cell yield and accurate representation of stromal subsets, as close as possible to their in vivo representation. Current digestion protocols predominantly involve diverse, relatively impure enzymatic variants of crude collagenase and collagenase/dispase (col/disp) preparations, which have variable efficacy and are often suboptimal in their ability to mediate complete digestion of thymus tissue. To address these issues we compared traditional col/disp preparations with the latest panel of Liberase products that contain a blend of highly purified collagenase and neutral protease enzymes. Liberase enzymes revealed a more rapid, complete dissociation of thymus tissue; minimizing loss of viability and increasing recovery of thymic stromal cell (TSC) elements. In particular, the recovery and viability of TEC, notably the rare cortical subsets, were significantly enhanced with Liberase products containing medium to high levels of thermolysin. The improved stromal dissociation led to numerically increased TEC yield and total TEC RNA isolated from pooled digests of adult thymus. Furthermore, the increased recovery of TEC enhanced resolution and quantification of TEC subsets in both adult and aged mice, facilitating flow cytometric analysis on a per thymus basis. We further refined the adult TEC phenotype by correlating surface expression of known TEC markers, with expression of intracellular epithelial lineage markers, Keratin 5 and Keratin 8. The data reveal more extensive expression of K8 than previously recognized and indicates considerable heterogeneity still exists within currently defined adult TEC subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Seach
- Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories, Level 3, STRIP-1, Building 75, Monash University, Wellington Rd. Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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Zhao J, Chen C, Zhang H, Shen J, Zhang H, Lin X, Qin L, Bao X, Lin J, Lu W, Wang X, Chen X. Evaluation of cloned cells, animal model, and ATRA sensitivity of human testicular yolk sac tumor. J Transl Med 2012; 10:46. [PMID: 22410253 PMCID: PMC3314582 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-10-46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2012] [Accepted: 03/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The testicular yolk sac tumor (TYST) is the most common neoplasm originated from germ cells differentiated abnormally, a major part of pediatric malignant testicular tumors. The present study aimed at developing and validating the in vitro and vivo models of TYST and evaluating the sensitivity of TYST to treatments, by cloning human TYST cells and investigating the histology, ultra-structure, growth kinetics and expression of specific proteins of cloned cells. We found biological characteristics of cloned TYST cells were similar to the yolk sac tumor and differentiated from the columnar to glandular-like or goblet cells-like cells. Chromosomes for tumor identification in each passage met nature of the primary tumor. TYST cells were more sensitive to all-trans-retinoic acid which had significantly inhibitory effects on cell proliferation. Cisplatin induced apoptosis of TYST cells through the activation of p53 expression and down-regulation of Bcl- expression. Thus, we believe that cloned TYST cells and the animal model developed here are useful to understand the molecular mechanism of TYST cells and develop potential therapies for human TYST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfeng Zhao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, the Second Hospital, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, China
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