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Anderson G, Cosway EJ, James KD, Ohigashi I, Takahama Y. Generation and repair of thymic epithelial cells. J Exp Med 2024; 221:e20230894. [PMID: 38980292 PMCID: PMC11232892 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20230894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
In the vertebrate immune system, thymus stromal microenvironments support the generation of αβT cells from immature thymocytes. Thymic epithelial cells are of particular importance, and the generation of cortical and medullary epithelial lineages from progenitor stages controls the initiation and maintenance of thymus function. Here, we discuss the developmental pathways that regulate thymic epithelial cell diversity during both the embryonic and postnatal periods. We also examine how thymus microenvironments respond to injury, with particular focus on mechanisms that ensure regeneration of thymic epithelial cells for the restoration of thymus function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham Anderson
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham , Birmingham, UK
| | - Emilie J Cosway
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham , Birmingham, UK
| | - Kieran D James
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham , Birmingham, UK
| | - Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Yousuke Takahama
- Thymus Biology Section, Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD, USA
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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 2024:106904. [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] [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
| | - 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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Ashby KM, Vobořil M, Salgado OC, Lee ST, Martinez RJ, O'Connor CH, Breed ER, Xuan S, Roll CR, Bachigari S, Heiland H, Stetson DB, Kotenko SV, Hogquist KA. Sterile production of interferons in the thymus affects T cell repertoire selection. Sci Immunol 2024; 9:eadp1139. [PMID: 39058762 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adp1139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Type I and III interferons (IFNs) are robustly induced during infections and protect cells against viral infection. Both type I and III IFNs are also produced at low levels in the thymus at steady state; however, their role in T cell development and immune tolerance is unclear. Here, we found that both type I and III IFNs were constitutively produced by a very small number of AIRE+ murine thymic epithelial cells, independent of microbial stimulation. Antigen-presenting cells were highly responsive to thymic IFNs, and IFNs were required for the activation and maturation of thymic type 1 conventional dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells. Loss of IFN sensing led to reduced regulatory T cell selection, reduced T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire diversity, and enhanced autoreactive T cell responses to self-antigens expressed during peripheral IFN signaling. Thus, constitutive exposure to IFNs in the thymus is required for generating a tolerant and diverse TCR repertoire.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Maude Ashby
- Center for Immunology, Department of Lab Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Matouš Vobořil
- Center for Immunology, Department of Lab Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Oscar C Salgado
- Center for Immunology, Department of Lab Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - S Thera Lee
- Center for Immunology, Department of Lab Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Ryan J Martinez
- Center for Immunology, Department of Lab Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Christine H O'Connor
- Research Informatics Solutions, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Group, Minnesota Supercomputing Institute, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Elise R Breed
- Center for Immunology, Department of Lab Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Shuya Xuan
- Center for Immunology, Department of Lab Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Charles R Roll
- Center for Immunology, Department of Lab Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Saumith Bachigari
- Center for Immunology, Department of Lab Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Hattie Heiland
- Center for Immunology, Department of Lab Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Daniel B Stetson
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Center for Innate Immunity and Immune Disease, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Sergei V Kotenko
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
- Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
- Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Kristin A Hogquist
- Center for Immunology, Department of Lab Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Kologrivova IV, Naryzhnaya NV, Suslova TE. Thymus in Cardiometabolic Impairments and Atherosclerosis: Not a Silent Player? Biomedicines 2024; 12:1408. [PMID: 39061983 PMCID: PMC11273826 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The thymus represents a primary organ of the immune system, harboring the generation and maturation of T lymphocytes. Starting from childhood, the thymus undergoes involution, being replaced with adipose tissue, and by an advanced age nearly all the thymus parenchyma is represented by adipocytes. This decline of thymic function is associated with compromised maturation and selection of T lymphocytes, which may directly impact the development of inflammation and induce various autoinflammatory disorders, including atherosclerosis. For a long time, thymus health in adults has been ignored. The process of adipogenesis in thymus and impact of thymic fat on cardiometabolism remains a mysterious process, with many issues being still unresolved. Meanwhile, thymus functional activity has a potential to be regulated, since islets of thymopoeisis remain in adults even at an advanced age. The present review describes the intricate process of thymic adipose involution, focusing on the issues of the thymus' role in the development of atherosclerosis and metabolic health, tightly interconnected with the state of vessels. We also review the recent information on the key molecular pathways and biologically active substances that may be targeted to manipulate both thymic function and atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina V. Kologrivova
- Cardiology Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 111A Kievskaya, Tomsk 634012, Russia; (N.V.N.); (T.E.S.)
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Zhong X, Peddada N, Moresco JJ, Wang J, Jiang Y, Rios JJ, Moresco EMY, Choi JH, Beutler B. Viable mutations of mouse midnolin suppress B cell malignancies. J Exp Med 2024; 221:e20232132. [PMID: 38625151 PMCID: PMC11022886 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20232132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
In a genetic screen, we identified two viable missense alleles of the essential gene Midnolin (Midn) that were associated with reductions in peripheral B cells. Causation was confirmed in mice with targeted deletion of four of six MIDN protein isoforms. MIDN was expressed predominantly in lymphocytes where it augmented proteasome activity. We showed that purified MIDN directly stimulated 26S proteasome activity in vitro in a manner dependent on the ubiquitin-like domain and a C-terminal region. MIDN-deficient B cells displayed aberrant activation of the IRE-1/XBP-1 pathway of the unfolded protein response. Partial or complete MIDN deficiency strongly suppressed Eμ-Myc-driven B cell leukemia and the antiapoptotic effects of Eμ-BCL2 on B cells in vivo and induced death of Sp2/0 hybridoma cells in vitro, but only partially impaired normal lymphocyte development. Thus, MIDN is required for proteasome activity in support of normal lymphopoiesis and is essential for malignant B cell proliferation over a broad range of differentiation states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhong
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Nagesh Peddada
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - James J. Moresco
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jianhui Wang
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Yiao Jiang
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jonathan J. Rios
- Center for Pediatric Bone Biology and Translational Research, Scottish Rite for Children, Dallas, TX, USA
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Eva Marie Y. Moresco
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jin Huk Choi
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Bruce Beutler
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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Nabel CS, Ackman JB, Hung YP, Louissaint A, Riely GJ. Single-Cell Sequencing Illuminates Thymic Development: An Updated Framework for Understanding Thymic Epithelial Tumors. Oncologist 2024; 29:473-483. [PMID: 38520743 PMCID: PMC11145005 DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyae046] [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: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare tumors for which treatment options are limited. The ongoing need for improved systemic therapies reflects a limited understanding of tumor biology as well as the normal thymus. The essential role of the thymus in adaptive immunity is largely effected by its epithelial compartment, which directs thymocyte (T-cell) differentiation and immunologic self-tolerance. With aging, the thymus undergoes involution whereby epithelial tissue is replaced by adipose and other connective tissue, decreasing immature T-cell production. Against this natural drive toward involution, a fraction of thymuses will instead undergo oncologic transformation, leading to the formation of TETs, including thymoma and thymic carcinoma. The rarity of these tumors restricts investigation of the mechanisms of tumorigenesis and development of rational treatment options. To this end, the development of technologies which allow deep molecular profiling of individual tumor cells permits a new window through which to view normal thymic development and contrast the malignant changes that result in oncogenic transformation. In this review, we describe the findings of recent illuminating studies on the diversity of cell types within the epithelial compartment through thymic differentiation and aging. We contextualize these findings around important unanswered questions regarding the spectrum of known somatic tumor alterations, cell of origin, and tumor heterogeneity. The perspectives informed by single-cell molecular profiling offer new approaches to clinical and basic investigation of thymic epithelial tumors, with the potential to accelerate development of improved therapeutic strategies to address ongoing unmet needs in these rare tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher S Nabel
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jeanne B Ackman
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yin P Hung
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Abner Louissaint
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gregory J Riely
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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Hasan A, Macias JJ, Wood B, Malone-Perez M, Park G, Foster CA, Frazer JK. Dynamic Changes in Lymphocyte Populations Establish Zebrafish as a Thymic Involution Model. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2024; 212:1733-1743. [PMID: 38656392 PMCID: PMC11163880 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The thymus is the site of T lymphocyte development and T cell education to recognize foreign, but not self, Ags. B cells also reside and develop in the thymus, although their functions are less clear. During "thymic involution," a process of lymphoid atrophy and adipose replacement linked to sexual maturation, thymocytes decline. However, thymic B cells decrease far less than T cells, such that B cells comprise ∼1% of human neonatal thymocytes but up to ∼10% in adults. All jawed vertebrates possess a thymus, and we and others have shown zebrafish (Danio rerio) also have thymic B cells. In this article, we investigated the precise identities of zebrafish thymic T and B cells and how they change with involution. We assessed the timing and specific details of zebrafish thymic involution using multiple lymphocyte-specific, fluorophore-labeled transgenic lines, quantifying the changes in thymic T- and B-lymphocytes pre- versus postinvolution. Our results prove that, as in humans, zebrafish thymic B cells increase relative to T cells postinvolution. We also performed RNA sequencing on D. rerio thymic and marrow lymphocytes of four novel double-transgenic lines, identifying distinct populations of immature T and B cells. Collectively, this is, to our knowledge, the first comprehensive analysis of zebrafish thymic involution, demonstrating its similarity to human involution and establishing the highly genetically manipulatable zebrafish model as a template for involution studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ameera Hasan
- Dept. of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Jose J. Macias
- Dept. of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Brashé Wood
- Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, and University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Megan Malone-Perez
- Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, and University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Gilseung Park
- Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Clay A. Foster
- Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, and University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - J. Kimble Frazer
- Dept. of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, and University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
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8
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Liu T, Xia S. The Proteostasis of Thymic Stromal Cells in Health and Diseases. Protein J 2024; 43:447-463. [PMID: 38622349 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-024-10197-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
The thymus is the key immune organ for the development of T cells. Different populations of thymic stromal cells interact with T cells, thereby controlling the dynamic development of T cells through their differentiation and function. Proteostasis represents a balance between protein expression, folding, and modification and protein clearance, and its fluctuation usually depends at least partially on related protein regulatory systems for further survival and effects. However, in terms of the substantial requirement for self-antigens and their processing burden, increasing evidence highlights that protein regulation contributes to the physiological effects of thymic stromal cells. Impaired proteostasis may expedite the progression of thymic involution and dysfunction, accompanied by the development of autoimmune diseases or thymoma. Hence, in this review, we summarize the regulation of proteostasis within different types of thymic stromal cells under physiological and pathological conditions to identify potential targets for thymic regeneration and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Liu
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301, Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China
| | - Sheng Xia
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301, Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China.
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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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Maity J, Pal P, Pal R, Mukhopadhyay PK. Co-administration of L-Ascorbic Acid and α-Tocopherol Alleviates Arsenic-Induced Immunotoxicities in the Thymus and Spleen by Dwindling Oxidative Stress-Induced Inflammation. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024; 202:2199-2227. [PMID: 37704839 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03841-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we investigated whether L-ascorbic acid (L-AA) and α-tocopherol (α-T) co-administration has the potential to alleviate arsenic-induced immunotoxicities in the thymus, spleen, and circulating leukocytes. Forty-eight adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups before the treatment: group I (control); group II (sodium arsenite, 3 mg/kg/day/rat); group III (sodium arsenite + L-AA (200 mg/kg/day/rat) and α-T (400 mg/kg/day/rat)); group IV (L-AA and α-T). The result showed that sodium arsenite exposure (consecutive 30 days) caused weight reduction, structural alterations in the thymus and spleen, accompanied by a decrease in thymocyte and splenocyte count. Decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, increased malondialdehyde and protein-carbonyl content, reduced Nrf2 and Bcl2 expression, and increased p-ERK, NF-kβ, Bax, and cleaved-caspase-3 expression were also observed in the thymus and spleen of arsenic-exposed rats. Enhanced plasma ACTH and corticosterone, ROS-induced apoptosis of lymphocytes were also observed. L-AA and α-T co-administration has the potential to abrogate the deleterious impact of arsenic on the thymus, spleen, and circulating lymphocytes. Whole transcriptome analysis of leukocytes revealed that arsenic treatment augmented the expression of Itga4, Itgam, and MMP9 genes, which might help in transient migration of the leukocytes through the endothelial cell layer. Co-administration with L-AA and α-T maintained Itga4, Itgam, and MMP9 gene expression within leukocytes at a lower level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeet Maity
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata, 700073, India
| | - Priyankar Pal
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata, 700073, India
| | - Ranjana Pal
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata, 700073, India
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Rengifo T, Bishir M, Huang W, Snyder M, Chang SL. Network meta-analysis of the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways underlying alcohol-induced thymic atrophy. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 48:795-809. [PMID: 38553251 PMCID: PMC11161038 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thymic atrophy is characterized by loss of thymocytes, destruction of thymic architecture, and a subsequent decrease in naïve T cells with compromised immunity. Thymic atrophy occurs during aging. Environmental factors including alcohol misuse also induce thymic atrophy. Despite the link between alcohol misuse and thymic atrophy, the underlying mechanism is understudied. We aimed to identify molecules and signaling pathways that underly alcohol-induced thymic atrophy during aging. METHODS F344 rats were given 3-day binge-ethanol (4.8 g/kg/day; 52% w/v; i.g.) and the thymus was collected and weighed. Molecular mechanisms underlying ethanol-induced thymic atrophy were investigated by network meta-analysis using the QIAGEN Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). The molecules associated with ethanol were identified from the QIAGEN Knowledge Base (QKB) and those associated with thymic atrophy were identified from QKB and Mouse Genome Informatics (MGI). Aging-mediated Differential Expression Genes (DEGs) from mouse thymocytes were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (GSE132136). The relationship between the molecules and associated signaling pathways were studied using IPA. RESULTS Binge-ethanol decreased thymic weight in F344 rats. Our meta-analysis using IPA identified molecules commonly shared by ethanol and thymic atrophy through which simulation with ethanol increased thymic atrophy. We then obtained aging-mediated DEGs from the atrophied thymocytes. We found that ethanol contributed to thymic atrophy through modulation of the aging-mediated DEGs. Our network meta-analysis suggests that ethanol may augment thymic atrophy through increased expression of cytokines (e.g., IL-6, IL-17A and IL-33) along with their regulators (e.g., STAT1 and STAT3). CONCLUSIONS Exposure to alcohol may augment thymic atrophy by altering the activity of key inflammatory mediators, such as STAT family members and inflammatory cytokines. These findings provide insights into the signaling pathways and upstream regulators that underly alcohol-induced thymic atrophy during aging, suggesting that alcohol consumption could prepone thymic atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Rengifo
- Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology, Seton Hall University
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seton Hall University
| | - Muhammed Bishir
- Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology, Seton Hall University
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seton Hall University
| | - Wenfei Huang
- Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology, Seton Hall University
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seton Hall University
| | | | - Sulie L. Chang
- Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology, Seton Hall University
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seton Hall University
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12
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Lim S, J F van Son G, Wisma Eka Yanti NL, Andersson-Rolf A, Willemsen S, Korving J, Lee HG, Begthel H, Clevers H. Derivation of functional thymic epithelial organoid lines from adult murine thymus. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114019. [PMID: 38551965 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) orchestrate T cell development by imposing positive and negative selection on thymocytes. Current studies on TEC biology are hampered by the absence of long-term ex vivo culture platforms, while the cells driving TEC self-renewal remain to be identified. Here, we generate long-term (>2 years) expandable 3D TEC organoids from the adult mouse thymus. For further analysis, we generated single and double FoxN1-P2A-Clover, Aire-P2A-tdTomato, and Cldn4-P2A-tdTomato reporter lines by CRISPR knockin. Single-cell analyses of expanding clonal organoids reveal cells with bipotent stem/progenitor phenotypes. These clonal organoids can be induced to express Foxn1 and to generate functional cortical- and Aire-expressing medullary-like TECs upon RANK ligand + retinoic acid treatment. TEC organoids support T cell development from immature thymocytes in vitro as well as in vivo upon transplantation into athymic nude mice. This organoid-based platform allows in vitro study of TEC biology and offers a potential strategy for ex vivo T cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangho Lim
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CT, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Gijs J F van Son
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands; The Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht 3584 CS, the Netherlands
| | - Ni Luh Wisma Eka Yanti
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CT, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Amanda Andersson-Rolf
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CT, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sam Willemsen
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CT, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Korving
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CT, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hong-Gyun Lee
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Harry Begthel
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CT, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hans Clevers
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CT, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands; The Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht 3584 CS, the Netherlands.
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13
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Larouche JD, Laumont CM, Trofimov A, Vincent K, Hesnard L, Brochu S, Côté C, Humeau JF, Bonneil É, Lanoix J, Durette C, Gendron P, Laverdure JP, Richie ER, Lemieux S, Thibault P, Perreault C. Transposable elements regulate thymus development and function. eLife 2024; 12:RP91037. [PMID: 38635416 PMCID: PMC11026094 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are repetitive sequences representing ~45% of the human and mouse genomes and are highly expressed by medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). In this study, we investigated the role of TEs on T-cell development in the thymus. We performed multiomic analyses of TEs in human and mouse thymic cells to elucidate their role in T-cell development. We report that TE expression in the human thymus is high and shows extensive age- and cell lineage-related variations. TE expression correlates with multiple transcription factors in all cell types of the human thymus. Two cell types express particularly broad TE repertoires: mTECs and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). In mTECs, transcriptomic data suggest that TEs interact with transcription factors essential for mTEC development and function (e.g., PAX1 and REL), and immunopeptidomic data showed that TEs generate MHC-I-associated peptides implicated in thymocyte education. Notably, AIRE, FEZF2, and CHD4 regulate small yet non-redundant sets of TEs in murine mTECs. Human thymic pDCs homogenously express large numbers of TEs that likely form dsRNA, which can activate innate immune receptors, potentially explaining why thymic pDCs constitutively secrete IFN ɑ/β. This study highlights the diversity of interactions between TEs and the adaptive immune system. TEs are genetic parasites, and the two thymic cell types most affected by TEs (mTEcs and pDCs) are essential to establishing central T-cell tolerance. Therefore, we propose that orchestrating TE expression in thymic cells is critical to prevent autoimmunity in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-David Larouche
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de MontréalMontrealCanada
- Department of Medicine, Université de MontréalMontréalCanada
| | - Céline M Laumont
- Deeley Research Centre, BC CancerVictoriaCanada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Assya Trofimov
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de MontréalMontrealCanada
- Department of Computer Science and Operations Research, Université de MontréalMontréalCanada
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer CenterSeattleUnited States
- Department of Physics, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Krystel Vincent
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de MontréalMontrealCanada
| | - Leslie Hesnard
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de MontréalMontrealCanada
| | - Sylvie Brochu
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de MontréalMontrealCanada
| | - Caroline Côté
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de MontréalMontrealCanada
| | - Juliette F Humeau
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de MontréalMontrealCanada
| | - Éric Bonneil
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de MontréalMontrealCanada
| | - Joel Lanoix
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de MontréalMontrealCanada
| | - Chantal Durette
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de MontréalMontrealCanada
| | - Patrick Gendron
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de MontréalMontrealCanada
| | | | - Ellen R Richie
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonUnited States
| | - Sébastien Lemieux
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de MontréalMontrealCanada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de MontréalMontrealCanada
| | - Pierre Thibault
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de MontréalMontrealCanada
- Department of Chemistry, Université de MontréalMontréalCanada
| | - Claude Perreault
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de MontréalMontrealCanada
- Department of Medicine, Université de MontréalMontréalCanada
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14
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Shirafkan F, Hensel L, Rattay K. Immune tolerance and the prevention of autoimmune diseases essentially depend on thymic tissue homeostasis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1339714. [PMID: 38571951 PMCID: PMC10987875 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1339714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The intricate balance of immune reactions towards invading pathogens and immune tolerance towards self is pivotal in preventing autoimmune diseases, with the thymus playing a central role in establishing and maintaining this equilibrium. The induction of central immune tolerance in the thymus involves the elimination of self-reactive T cells, a mechanism essential for averting autoimmunity. Disruption of the thymic T cell selection mechanisms can lead to the development of autoimmune diseases. In the dynamic microenvironment of the thymus, T cell migration and interactions with thymic stromal cells are critical for the selection processes that ensure self-tolerance. Thymic epithelial cells are particularly significant in this context, presenting self-antigens and inducing the negative selection of autoreactive T cells. Further, the synergistic roles of thymic fibroblasts, B cells, and dendritic cells in antigen presentation, selection and the development of regulatory T cells are pivotal in maintaining immune responses tightly regulated. This review article collates these insights, offering a comprehensive examination of the multifaceted role of thymic tissue homeostasis in the establishment of immune tolerance and its implications in the prevention of autoimmune diseases. Additionally, the developmental pathways of the thymus are explored, highlighting how genetic aberrations can disrupt thymic architecture and function, leading to autoimmune conditions. The impact of infections on immune tolerance is another critical area, with pathogens potentially triggering autoimmunity by altering thymic homeostasis. Overall, this review underscores the integral role of thymic tissue homeostasis in the prevention of autoimmune diseases, discussing insights into potential therapeutic strategies and examining putative avenues for future research on developing thymic-based therapies in treating and preventing autoimmune conditions.
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15
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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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16
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Ohigashi I, White AJ, Yang MT, Fujimori S, Tanaka Y, Jacques A, Kiyonari H, Matsushita Y, Turan S, Kelly MC, Anderson G, Takahama Y. Developmental conversion of thymocyte-attracting cells into self-antigen-displaying cells in embryonic thymus medulla epithelium. eLife 2024; 12:RP92552. [PMID: 38466627 PMCID: PMC10928509 DOI: 10.7554/elife.92552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Thymus medulla epithelium establishes immune self-tolerance and comprises diverse cellular subsets. Functionally relevant medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) include a self-antigen-displaying subset that exhibits genome-wide promiscuous gene expression promoted by the nuclear protein Aire and that resembles a mosaic of extrathymic cells including mucosal tuft cells. An additional mTEC subset produces the chemokine CCL21, thereby attracting positively selected thymocytes from the cortex to the medulla. Both self-antigen-displaying and thymocyte-attracting mTEC subsets are essential for self-tolerance. Here, we identify a developmental pathway by which mTECs gain their diversity in functionally distinct subsets. We show that CCL21-expressing mTECs arise early during thymus ontogeny in mice. Fate-mapping analysis reveals that self-antigen-displaying mTECs, including Aire-expressing mTECs and thymic tuft cells, are derived from CCL21-expressing cells. The differentiation capability of CCL21-expressing embryonic mTECs is verified in reaggregate thymus experiments. These results indicate that CCL21-expressing embryonic mTECs carry a developmental potential to give rise to self-antigen-displaying mTECs, revealing that the sequential conversion of thymocyte-attracting subset into self-antigen-displaying subset serves to assemble functional diversity in the thymus medulla epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of TokushimaTokushimaJapan
| | - Andrea J White
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of BirminghamBirminghamUnited Kingdom
| | - Mei-Ting Yang
- Thymus Biology Section, Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Sayumi Fujimori
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of TokushimaTokushimaJapan
| | - Yu Tanaka
- Thymus Biology Section, Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Alison Jacques
- Thymus Biology Section, Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Hiroshi Kiyonari
- Laboratory for Animal Resources and Genetic Engineering, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics ResearchHyogoJapan
| | - Yosuke Matsushita
- Division of Genome Medicine, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of TokushimaTokushimaJapan
| | - Sevilay Turan
- Sequencing Facility, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer InstituteFrederickUnited States
| | - Michael C Kelly
- Single Cell Analysis Facility, Cancer Research Technology Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Graham Anderson
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of BirminghamBirminghamUnited Kingdom
| | - Yousuke Takahama
- Thymus Biology Section, Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
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17
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James KD, Cosway EJ, Parnell SM, White AJ, Jenkinson WE, Anderson G. Assembling the thymus medulla: Development and function of epithelial cell heterogeneity. Bioessays 2024; 46:e2300165. [PMID: 38161233 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300165] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The thymus is a unique primary lymphoid organ that supports the production of self-tolerant T-cells essential for adaptive immunity. Intrathymic microenvironments are microanatomically compartmentalised, forming defined cortical, and medullary regions each differentially supporting critical aspects of thymus-dependent T-cell maturation. Importantly, the specific functional properties of thymic cortical and medullary compartments are defined by highly specialised thymic epithelial cells (TEC). For example, in the medulla heterogenous medullary TEC (mTEC) contribute to the enforcement of central tolerance by supporting deletion of autoreactive T-cell clones, thereby counterbalancing the potential for random T-cell receptor generation to contribute to autoimmune disease. Recent advances have further shed light on the pathways and mechanisms that control heterogeneous mTEC development and how differential mTEC functionality contributes to control self-tolerant T-cell development. Here we discuss recent findings in relation to mTEC development and highlight examples of how mTEC diversity contribute to thymus medulla function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran D James
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Emilie J Cosway
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sonia M Parnell
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Andrea J White
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - William E Jenkinson
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Graham Anderson
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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18
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Roux de Bézieux H, Van den Berge K, Street K, Dudoit S. Trajectory inference across multiple conditions with condiments. Nat Commun 2024; 15:833. [PMID: 38280860 PMCID: PMC10821945 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44823-0] [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: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
In single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq), gene expression is assessed individually for each cell, allowing the investigation of developmental processes, such as embryogenesis and cellular differentiation and regeneration, at unprecedented resolution. In such dynamic biological systems, cellular states form a continuum, e.g., for the differentiation of stem cells into mature cell types. This process is often represented via a trajectory in a reduced-dimensional representation of the scRNA-Seq dataset. While many methods have been suggested for trajectory inference, it is often unclear how to handle multiple biological groups or conditions, e.g., inferring and comparing the differentiation trajectories of wild-type and knock-out stem cell populations. In this manuscript, we present condiments, a method for the inference and downstream interpretation of cell trajectories across multiple conditions. Our framework allows the interpretation of differences between conditions at the trajectory, cell population, and gene expression levels. We start by integrating datasets from multiple conditions into a single trajectory. By comparing the cell's conditions along the trajectory's path, we can detect large-scale changes, indicative of differential progression or fate selection. We also demonstrate how to detect subtler changes by finding genes that exhibit different behaviors between these conditions along a differentiation path.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector Roux de Bézieux
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Center for Computational Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Koen Van den Berge
- Department of Statistics, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Statistics and Decision Sciences, J&J Innovative Medicine, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Kelly Street
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Sandrine Dudoit
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Center for Computational Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Department of Statistics, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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19
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Fujimori S, Ohigashi I. The role of thymic epithelium in thymus development and age-related thymic involution. THE JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INVESTIGATION 2024; 71:29-39. [PMID: 38735722 DOI: 10.2152/jmi.71.29] [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] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
The establishment of an adaptive immune system is critical for protecting our bodies from neoplastic cancers and invading pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. As a primary lymphoid organ, the thymus generates lymphoid T cells that play a major role in the adaptive immune system. T cell generation in the thymus is controlled by interactions between thymocytes and other thymic cells, primarily thymic epithelial cells. Thus, the normal development and function of thymic epithelial cells are important for the generation of immunocompetent and self-tolerant T cells. On the other hand, the degeneration of the thymic epithelium due to thymic aging causes thymic involution, which is associated with the decline of adaptive immune function. Herein we summarize basic and current knowledge of the development and function of thymic epithelial cells and the mechanism of thymic involution. J. Med. Invest. 71 : 29-39, February, 2024.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayumi Fujimori
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
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20
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Ohigashi I, White AJ, Yang MT, Fujimori S, Tanaka Y, Jacques A, Kiyonari H, Matsushita Y, Turan S, Kelly MC, Anderson G, Takahama Y. Developmental conversion of thymocyte-attracting cells into self-antigen-displaying cells in embryonic thymus medulla epithelium. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.03.560657. [PMID: 37873155 PMCID: PMC10592888 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.03.560657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Thymus medulla epithelium establishes immune self-tolerance and comprises diverse cellular subsets. Functionally relevant medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) include a self-antigen-displaying subset that exhibits genome-wide promiscuous gene expression promoted by the nuclear protein Aire and that resembles a mosaic of extrathymic cells including mucosal tuft cells. An additional mTEC subset produces the chemokine CCL21, thereby attracting positively selected thymocytes from the cortex to the medulla. Both self-antigen-displaying and thymocyte-attracting mTEC subsets are essential for self-tolerance. Here we identify a developmental pathway by which mTECs gain their diversity in functionally distinct subsets. We show that CCL21-expressing mTECs arise early during thymus ontogeny. Fate-mapping analysis reveals that self-antigen-displaying mTECs, including Aire-expressing mTECs and thymic tuft cells, are derived from CCL21-expressing cells. The differentiation capability of CCL21-expressing embryonic mTECs is verified in reaggregate thymus experiments. These results indicate that CCL21-expressing embryonic mTECs carry a developmental potential to give rise to self-antigen-displaying mTECs, revealing that the sequential conversion of thymocyte-attracting subset into self-antigen-displaying subset serves to assemble functional diversity in the thymus medulla epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Andrea J. White
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Mei-Ting Yang
- Thymus Biology Section, Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Sayumi Fujimori
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Yu Tanaka
- Thymus Biology Section, Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Alison Jacques
- Thymus Biology Section, Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Hiroshi Kiyonari
- Laboratory for Animal Resources and Genetic Engineering, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 2-2-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Yosuke Matsushita
- Division of Genome Medicine, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Sevilay Turan
- Sequencing Facility, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21701, USA
| | - Michael C. Kelly
- Single Cell Analysis Facility, Cancer Research Technology Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Graham Anderson
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Yousuke Takahama
- Thymus Biology Section, Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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21
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Tao W, Ye Z, Wei Y, Wang J, Yang W, Yu G, Xiong J, Jia S. Insm1 regulates mTEC development and immune tolerance. Cell Mol Immunol 2023; 20:1472-1486. [PMID: 37990032 PMCID: PMC10687002 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-023-01102-0] [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: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The expression of self-antigens in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) is essential for the establishment of immune tolerance, but the regulatory network that controls the generation and maintenance of the multitude of cell populations expressing self-antigens is poorly understood. Here, we show that Insm1, a zinc finger protein with known functions in neuroendocrine and neuronal cells, is broadly coexpressed with an autoimmune regulator (Aire) in mTECs. Insm1 expression is undetectable in most mimetic cell populations derived from mTECs but persists in neuroendocrine mimetic cells. Mutation of Insm1 in mice downregulated Aire expression, dysregulated the gene expression program of mTECs, and altered mTEC subpopulations and the expression of tissue-restricted antigens. Consistent with these findings, loss of Insm1 resulted in autoimmune responses in multiple peripheral tissues. We found that Insm1 regulates gene expression in mTECs by binding to chromatin. Interestingly, the majority of the Insm1 binding sites are co-occupied by Aire and enriched in superenhancer regions. Together, our data demonstrate the important role of Insm1 in the regulation of the repertoire of self-antigens needed to establish immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihua Tao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint University Laboratory of Metabolic and Molecular Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- The Institute of Clinical Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Lab of Guangzhou Basic and Translational Research of Pan-Vascular Diseases, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhihuan Ye
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint University Laboratory of Metabolic and Molecular Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- The Institute of Clinical Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiqiu Wei
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint University Laboratory of Metabolic and Molecular Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- The Institute of Clinical Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianxue Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weixin Yang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guoxing Yu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint University Laboratory of Metabolic and Molecular Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- The Institute of Clinical Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jieyi Xiong
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Shiqi Jia
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
- The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint University Laboratory of Metabolic and Molecular Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
- The Institute of Clinical Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
- Key Lab of Guangzhou Basic and Translational Research of Pan-Vascular Diseases, Guangzhou, China.
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22
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Yang J, Liu J, Liang J, Li F, Wang W, Chen H, Xie X. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in age-associated thymic involution: Mechanisms and therapeutic implications. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 92:102115. [PMID: 37922996 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102115] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is a critical immune organ with endocrine and immune functions that plays important roles in the physiological and pathological processes of the body. However, with aging, the thymus undergoes degenerative changes leading to decreased production and output of naive T cells and the secretion of thymic hormones and related cytokines, thereby promoting the occurrence and development of various age-associated diseases. Therefore, identifying essential processes that regulate age-associated thymic involution is crucial for long-term control of thymic involution and age-associated disease progression. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a well-established process involved in organ aging and functional impairment through tissue fibrosis in several organs, such as the heart and kidney. In the thymus, EMT promotes fibrosis and potentially adipogenesis, leading to thymic involution. This review focuses on the factors involved in thymic involution, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and hormones, from the perspective of EMT. Furthermore, current interventions for reversing age-associated thymic involution by targeting EMT-associated processes are summarized. Understanding the key mechanisms of thymic involution through EMT as an entry point may promote the development of new therapies and clinical agents to reverse thymic involution and age-associated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Yang
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Juan Liu
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jiayu Liang
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Fan Li
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Wenwen Wang
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Huan Chen
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Nucleic Acid Medicine of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
| | - Xiang Xie
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
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23
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Zhong X, Peddada N, Wang J, Moresco JJ, Zhan X, Shelton JM, SoRelle JA, Keller K, Lazaro DR, Moresco EMY, Choi JH, Beutler B. OVOL2 sustains postnatal thymic epithelial cell identity. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7786. [PMID: 38012144 PMCID: PMC10682436 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43456-z] [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: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Distinct pathways and molecules may support embryonic versus postnatal thymic epithelial cell (TEC) development and maintenance. Here, we identify a mechanism by which TEC numbers and function are maintained postnatally. A viable missense allele (C120Y) of Ovol2, expressed ubiquitously or specifically in TECs, results in lymphopenia, in which T cell development is compromised by loss of medullary TECs and dysfunction of cortical TECs. We show that the epithelial identity of TECs is aberrantly subverted towards a mesenchymal state in OVOL2-deficient mice. We demonstrate that OVOL2 inhibits the epigenetic regulatory BRAF-HDAC complex, specifically disrupting RCOR1-LSD1 interaction. This causes inhibition of LSD1-mediated H3K4me2 demethylation, resulting in chromatin accessibility and transcriptional activation of epithelial genes. Thus, OVOL2 controls the epigenetic landscape of TECs to enforce TEC identity. The identification of a non-redundant postnatal mechanism for TEC maintenance offers an entry point to understanding thymic involution, which normally begins in early adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhong
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - Nagesh Peddada
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - Jianhui Wang
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - James J Moresco
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - Xiaowei Zhan
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
- Department of Population and Data Sciences, Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8821, USA
| | - John M Shelton
- Intermal Medicine-Histopathology Core, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8573, USA
| | - Jeffrey A SoRelle
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-9072, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-9063, USA
| | - Katie Keller
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - Danielle Renee Lazaro
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - Eva Marie Y Moresco
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - Jin Huk Choi
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA.
| | - Bruce Beutler
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA.
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24
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Malin J, Martinez-Ruiz GU, Zhao Y, Shissler SC, Cowan JE, Ding Y, Morales-Sanchez A, Ishikawa M, Lavaert M, Das A, Butcher D, Warner AC, Kallarakal M, Chen J, Kedei N, Kelly M, Brinster LR, Allman D, Bhandoola A. Expression of the transcription factor Klf6 by thymic epithelial cells is required for thymus development. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg8126. [PMID: 37967174 PMCID: PMC10651122 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg8126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TEC) control T cell development and play essential roles in establishing self-tolerance. By using Foxn1-Cre-driven ablation of Klf6 gene in TEC, we identified Klf6 as a critical factor in TEC development. Klf6 deficiency resulted in a hypoplastic thymus-evident from fetal stages into adulthood-in which a dramatic increase in the frequency of apoptotic TEC was observed. Among cortical TEC (cTEC), a previously unreported cTEC population expressing the transcription factor Sox10 was relatively expanded. Within medullary TEC (mTEC), mTEC I and Tuft-like mTEC IV were disproportionately decreased. Klf6 deficiency altered chromatin accessibility and affected TEC chromatin configuration. Consistent with these defects, naïve conventional T cells and invariant natural killer T cells were reduced in the spleen. Late stages of T cell receptor-dependent selection of thymocytes were affected, and mice exhibited autoimmunity. Thus, Klf6 has a prosurvival role and affects the development of specific TEC subsets contributing to thymic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Malin
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gustavo Ulises Martinez-Ruiz
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Research Division, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
- Children’s Hospital Federico Gomez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Yongge Zhao
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Susannah C. Shissler
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer E. Cowan
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Yi Ding
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Abigail Morales-Sanchez
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Children’s Hospital Federico Gomez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Masaki Ishikawa
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marieke Lavaert
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Arundhoti Das
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Donna Butcher
- Molecular Histopathology Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Andrew C. Warner
- Molecular Histopathology Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Melissa Kallarakal
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jingqiu Chen
- Office of Science and Technology Resources, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- ACROBiosystems, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Noemi Kedei
- Office of Science and Technology Resources, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michael Kelly
- Single Cell Analysis Facility, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lauren R. Brinster
- Division of Veterinary Resources, Office of Research Services, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David Allman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Avinash Bhandoola
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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25
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Li YR, Zúñiga-Pflücker JC. Thymus aging and immune reconstitution, progresses and challenges. Semin Immunol 2023; 70:101837. [PMID: 37659170 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Thymus is a primary lymphoid organ essential for the development of T lymphocytes. Age-related thymic involution is a prominent feature of immune senescence. The thymus undergoes rapid growth during fetal and neonatal development, peaks in size before puberty and then begins to undergo a decrease in cellularity with age. Dramatic changes occur with age-associated thymic involution. The most prominent features of thymic involution include: (i) epithelial structure disruption, (ii) adipogenesis, and (iii) thymocyte development arrest. There is a sex disparity in thymus aging. It is a multifactorial process controlled and regulated by a series of molecules, including the transcription factor FOXN1, fibroblast and keratinocyte growth factors (FGF and KGF, respectively), sex steroids, Notch signaling, WNT signaling, and microRNAs. Nevertheless, there is still no satisfactory evolutionary or physiological explanation for age-associated thymic involution, and understanding the precise mechanism(s) for thymus aging remains challenging. Sustained thymic regeneration has yet to be achieved by sex steroid ablation. Recent preclinical studies indicate that long-term thymic reconstitution can be achieved via adoptive transfer of in vitro-generated progenitor T (proT) cells, and improvements in the methods for the generation of human proT cells make this an attractive approach. Future clinical applications may rely on new applications integrating proT cells, cytokine support and sex-steroid inhibition treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Ru Li
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Juan Carlos Zúñiga-Pflücker
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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26
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Ni D, Tan J, Robert R, Taitz J, Ge A, Potier-Villette C, Reyes JGA, Spiteri A, Wishart C, Mackay C, Piccio L, King NJC, Macia L. GPR109A expressed on medullary thymic epithelial cells affects thymic Treg development. Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2350521. [PMID: 37595951 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350521] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Treg) maintain immune homeostasis due to their anti-inflammatory functions. They can be generated either centrally in the thymus or in peripheral organs. Metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids produced by intestinal microbiota can induce peripheral Treg differentiation, by activating G-protein-coupled-receptors like GPR109A. In this study, we identified a novel role for GPR109A in thymic Treg development. We found that Gpr109a-/- mice had increased Treg under basal conditions in multiple organs compared with WT mice. GPR109A was not expressed on T cells but on medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), as revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing in both mice and humans and confirmed by flow cytometry in mice. mTECs isolated from Gpr109a-/- mice had higher expression of autoimmune regulator (AIRE), the key regulator of Treg development, while the subset of mTECs that did not express Gpr109a in the WT displayed increased Aire expression and also enhanced signaling related to mTEC functionality. Increased thymic Treg in Gpr109a-/- mice was associated with protection from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, with ameliorated clinical signs and reduced inflammation. This work identifies a novel role for GPR109A and possibly the gut microbiota, on thymic Treg development via its regulation of mTECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duan Ni
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jian Tan
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Remy Robert
- Department of Physiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jemma Taitz
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anjie Ge
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Camille Potier-Villette
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Julen Gabirel Araneta Reyes
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alanna Spiteri
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Viral Immunopathology Laboratory, Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research Theme, The School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Claire Wishart
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Viral Immunopathology Laboratory, Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research Theme, The School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Charles Mackay
- Department of Physiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Laura Piccio
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Nicholas Jonathan Cole King
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Viral Immunopathology Laboratory, Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research Theme, The School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Laurence Macia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Cytometry, The University of Sydney and Centenary Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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27
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Cabric V, Brown CC. Thymic mimicry: The art of imitation. J Exp Med 2023; 220:e20231010. [PMID: 37516920 PMCID: PMC10374940 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20231010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Display of tissue self-antigens within the thymus is critical for the regulation of self-reactive T cells. In this issue of JEM, Michelson et al. (2023. J. Exp. Med.https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20230461) continue to advance our understanding of self-antigen representation by medullary thymic epithelial cells, identifying a new role for Hnf4γ in the regulation of thymic mimetic cells as well as their peripheral counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanja Cabric
- Immuno-Oncology, Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chrysothemis C. Brown
- Immuno-Oncology, Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Weill Cornell Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA
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28
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Givony T, Leshkowitz D, Del Castillo D, Nevo S, Kadouri N, Dassa B, Gruper Y, Khalaila R, Ben-Nun O, Gome T, Dobeš J, Ben-Dor S, Kedmi M, Keren-Shaul H, Heffner-Krausz R, Porat Z, Golani O, Addadi Y, Brenner O, Lo DD, Goldfarb Y, Abramson J. Thymic mimetic cells function beyond self-tolerance. Nature 2023; 622:164-172. [PMID: 37674082 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06512-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Development of immunocompetent T cells in the thymus is required for effective defence against all types of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and fungi. To this end, T cells undergo a very strict educational program in the thymus, during which both non-functional and self-reactive T cell clones are eliminated by means of positive and negative selection1.Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) have an indispensable role in these processes, and previous studies have shown the notable heterogeneity of these cells2-7. Here, using multiomic analysis, we provide further insights into the functional and developmental diversity of TECs in mice, and reveal a detailed atlas of the TEC compartment according to cell transcriptional states and chromatin landscapes. Our analysis highlights unconventional TEC subsets that are similar to functionally well-defined parenchymal populations, including endocrine cells, microfold cells and myocytes. By focusing on the endocrine and microfold TEC populations, we show that endocrine TECs require Insm1 for their development and are crucial to maintaining thymus cellularity in a ghrelin-dependent manner; by contrast, microfold TECs require Spib for their development and are essential for the generation of thymic IgA+ plasma cells. Collectively, our study reveals that medullary TECs have the potential to differentiate into various types of molecularly distinct and functionally defined cells, which not only contribute to the induction of central tolerance, but also regulate the homeostasis of other thymus-resident populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Givony
- Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Dena Leshkowitz
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Diana Del Castillo
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Shir Nevo
- Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Noam Kadouri
- Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Bareket Dassa
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yael Gruper
- Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Razi Khalaila
- Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Osher Ben-Nun
- Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tom Gome
- Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Jan Dobeš
- Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Shifra Ben-Dor
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Merav Kedmi
- The Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine (G-INCPM), Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Hadas Keren-Shaul
- The Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine (G-INCPM), Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Ziv Porat
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ofra Golani
- MICC Cell Observatory, Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yoseph Addadi
- MICC Cell Observatory, Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ori Brenner
- Department of Veterinary Resources, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - David D Lo
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Yael Goldfarb
- Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Jakub Abramson
- Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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29
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Lee S, Song SG, Chung DH. Comprehensive Transcriptomic Analysis for Thymic Epithelial Cells of Aged Mice and Humans. Immune Netw 2023; 23:e36. [PMID: 37970235 PMCID: PMC10643332 DOI: 10.4110/in.2023.23.e36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) play a critical role in thymic development and thymopoiesis. As individuals age, TECs undergo various changes that impact their functions, leading to a reduction in cell numbers and impaired thymic selection. These age-related alterations have been observed in both mice and humans. However, the precise mechanisms underlying age-related TEC dysfunction remain unclear. Furthermore, there is a lack of a comprehensive study that connects mouse and human biological processes in this area. To address this gap, we conducted an extensive transcriptome analysis of young and old TECs in mice, complemented by further analysis of publicly available human TEC single-cell RNA sequencing data. Our analysis revealed alterations in both known and unknown pathways that potentially contribute to age-related TEC dysfunction. Specifically, we observed downregulation of pathways related to cell proliferation, T cell development, metabolism, and cytokine signaling in old age TECs. Conversely, TGF-β, BMP, and Wnt signaling pathways were upregulated, which have been known to be associated with age-related TEC dysfunctions or newly discovered in this study. Importantly, we found that these age-related changes in mouse TECs were consistently present in human TECs as well. This cross-species validation further strengthens the significance of our findings. In conclusion, our comprehensive analysis provides valuable insight into the biological and immunological characteristics of aged TECs in both mice and humans. These findings contribute to a better understanding of thymic involution and age-induced immune dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangsin Lee
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Seung Geun Song
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Doo Hyun Chung
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
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30
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Gatti DM, Gauthier CM, Moeller BE, FitzPatrick RD, Kennedy MHE, Pluzhnikova V, Conway KME, Smazynski J, Chow RL, Reynolds LA. MHCII+CD80+ thymic eosinophils increase in abundance during neonatal development in mice and their accumulation is microbiota dependent. J Leukoc Biol 2023; 114:223-236. [PMID: 37227004 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiad064] [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: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Eosinophils are present in the thymus of mammals, yet their function at this site during homeostatic development is unknown. We used flow cytometry to determine the abundance and phenotype of eosinophils (here defined as SSchigh SiglecF+ CD11b+ CD45+ cells) in the thymus of mice during the neonatal period, the later postnatal period, and into adulthood. We show that both the total number of thymic eosinophils and their frequency among leukocytes increase over the first 2 wk of life and that their accumulation in the thymus is dependent on the presence of an intact bacterial microbiota. We report that thymic eosinophils express the interleukin-5 receptor (CD125), CD80, and IDO, and that subsets of thymic eosinophils express CD11c and major histocompatibility complex II (MHCII). We found that the frequency of MHCII-expressing thymic eosinophils increases over the first 2 wk of life, and that during this early-life period the highest frequency of MHCII-expressing thymic eosinophils is located in the inner medullary region. These data suggest a temporal and microbiota-dependent regulation of eosinophil abundance and functional capabilities in the thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique M Gatti
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, British Columbia, V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Courtney M Gauthier
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, British Columbia, V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Brandon E Moeller
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, British Columbia, V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Rachael D FitzPatrick
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, British Columbia, V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Mia H E Kennedy
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, British Columbia, V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Victoria Pluzhnikova
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, British Columbia, V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Kate M E Conway
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, British Columbia, V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Julian Smazynski
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, British Columbia, V8P 5C2, Canada
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, 2410 Lee Avenue, Victoria, British Columbia, V8R 6VSCanada
| | - Robert L Chow
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, British Columbia, V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Lisa A Reynolds
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, British Columbia, V8P 5C2, Canada
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31
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Hu C, Wu H, Zhu Q, Cao N, Wang H. Cholesterol metabolism in T-cell aging: Accomplices or victims. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23136. [PMID: 37584624 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202300515r] [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: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Aging has a significant impact on the function and metabolism of T cells. Cholesterol, the most important sterol in mammals, is known as the "gold of the body" because it maintains membrane fluidity, rigidity, and signal transduction while also serving as a precursor of oxysterols, bile acids, and steroid hormones. Cholesterol homeostasis is primarily controlled by uptake, biosynthesis, efflux, and regulatory mechanisms. Previous studies have suggested that there are reciprocal interactions between cholesterol metabolism and T lymphocytes. Here, we will summarize the most recent advances in the effects of cholesterol and its derivatives on T-cell aging. We will furthermore discuss interventions that might be used to help older individuals with immune deficiencies or diminishing immune competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cexun Hu
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Yueyang Maternal and Child Health-Care Hospital, Yueyang, P.R. China
- Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine of Jiangsu Province, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, P.R. China
| | - Hongliang Wu
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Yueyang Maternal and Child Health-Care Hospital, Yueyang, P.R. China
| | - Qun Zhu
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Yueyang Maternal and Child Health-Care Hospital, Yueyang, P.R. China
| | - Na Cao
- Department of Hematology, Yueyang People's Hospital, Yueyang, P. R. China
- Yueyang Hospital Affiliated to Hunan Normal University, Yueyang, P.R. China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine of Jiangsu Province, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, P.R. China
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, P.R. China
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32
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Lagou MK, Karagiannis GS. Obesity-induced thymic involution and cancer risk. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 93:3-19. [PMID: 37088128 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.04.008] [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: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Declining thymic functions associated either with old age (i.e., age-related thymic involution), or with acute involution as a result of stress, infectious disease, or cytoreductive therapies (e.g., chemotherapy/radiotherapy), have been associated with cancer development. A key mechanism underlying such increased cancer risk is the thymus-dependent debilitation of adaptive immunity, which is responsible for orchestrating immunoediting mechanisms and tumor immune surveillance. In the past few years, a blooming set of evidence has intriguingly linked obesity with cancer development and progression. The majority of such studies has focused on obesity-driven chronic inflammation, steroid/sex hormone and adipokine production, and hyperinsulinemia, as principal factors affecting the tumor microenvironment and driving the development of primary malignancy. However, experimental observations about the negative impact of obesity on T cell development and maturation have existed for more than half a century. Here, we critically discuss the molecular and cellular mechanisms of obesity-driven thymic involution as a previously underrepresented intermediary pathology leading to cancer development and progression. This knowledge could be especially relevant in the context of childhood obesity, because impaired thymic function in young individuals leads to immune system abnormalities, and predisposes to various pediatric cancers. A thorough understanding behind the molecular and cellular circuitries governing obesity-induced thymic involution could therefore help towards the rationalized development of targeted thymic regeneration strategies for obese individuals at high risk of cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria K Lagou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Tumor Microenvironment of Metastasis Program, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - George S Karagiannis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Tumor Microenvironment of Metastasis Program, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA; Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Integrated Imaging Program for Cancer Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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33
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Klein F, Veiga-Villauriz C, Börsch A, Maio S, Palmer S, Dhalla F, Handel AE, Zuklys S, Calvo-Asensio I, Musette L, Deadman ME, White AJ, Lucas B, Anderson G, Holländer GA. Combined multidimensional single-cell protein and RNA profiling dissects the cellular and functional heterogeneity of thymic epithelial cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4071. [PMID: 37429879 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39722-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The network of thymic stromal cells provides essential niches with unique molecular cues controlling T cell development and selection. Recent single-cell RNA sequencing studies have uncovered previously unappreciated transcriptional heterogeneity among thymic epithelial cells (TEC). However, there are only very few cell markers that allow a comparable phenotypic identification of TEC. Here, using massively parallel flow cytometry and machine learning, we deconvoluted known TEC phenotypes into novel subpopulations. Using CITEseq, these phenotypes were related to corresponding TEC subtypes defined by the cells' RNA profiles. This approach allowed the phenotypic identification of perinatal cTEC and their physical localisation within the cortical stromal scaffold. In addition, we demonstrate the dynamic change in the frequency of perinatal cTEC in response to developing thymocytes and reveal their exceptional efficiency in positive selection. Collectively, our study identifies markers that allow for an unprecedented dissection of the thymus stromal complexity, as well as physical isolation of TEC populations and assignment of specific functions to individual TEC subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Klein
- Department of Paediatrics and Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Clara Veiga-Villauriz
- Department of Paediatrics and Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Stefano Maio
- Department of Paediatrics and Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sam Palmer
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Fatima Dhalla
- Department of Paediatrics and Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Adam E Handel
- Department of Paediatrics and Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Saulius Zuklys
- Paediatric Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Children's Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Irene Calvo-Asensio
- Paediatric Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Children's Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lucas Musette
- Paediatric Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Children's Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mary E Deadman
- Department of Paediatrics and Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrea J White
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Beth Lucas
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Graham Anderson
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Georg A Holländer
- Department of Paediatrics and Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Paediatric Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Children's Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland.
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Carter EB, Pugh-Toole M, Kabil A, Boudreau JE, Nersesian S. The Canadian Society for Immunology's 34th annual meeting 2022: symposia minireview. J Leukoc Biol 2023; 114:79-83. [PMID: 36805942 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiad002] [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: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The Canadian Society for Immunology 2022 Annual Meeting (June 17-20, 2022) brought together immunologists from across the country to discuss current topics and cutting-edge research in immunology. Here we highlight the published work presented during three thematic symposia (1) Immune Development and Layered Immunity; (2) Primary Immune Deficiencies from Thymic Developmental Defects to Dysregulation and Inflammation; and (3) Opposing Inflammatory and Suppressive Regulation of Anti-Tumor Immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily B Carter
- The Trainee Engagement Committee, Canadian Society for Immunology, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, 5850 College St, Halifax, NS B3H 4R5, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, 5850 College St, Halifax, NS B3H 4R5, Canada
| | - Morgan Pugh-Toole
- The Trainee Engagement Committee, Canadian Society for Immunology, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, 5850 College St, Halifax, NS B3H 4R5, Canada
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, 5850 College St, Halifax, NS B3H 4R5, Canada
| | - Ahmed Kabil
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, 2222 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Jeanette E Boudreau
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, 5850 College St, Halifax, NS B3H 4R5, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, 5850 College St, Halifax, NS B3H 4R5, Canada
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, 5850 College St, Halifax, NS B3H 4R5, Canada
| | - Sarah Nersesian
- The Trainee Engagement Committee, Canadian Society for Immunology, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, 5850 College St, Halifax, NS B3H 4R5, Canada
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35
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Reis MDDS, Veneziani LP, Porto FL, Lins MP, Mendes-da-Cruz DA, Savino W. Intrathymic somatotropic circuitry: consequences upon thymus involution. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1108630. [PMID: 37426675 PMCID: PMC10323194 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1108630] [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: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Growth hormone (GH) is a classic pituitary-derived hormone crucial to body growth and metabolism. In the pituitary gland, GH production is stimulated by GH-releasing hormone and inhibited by somatostatin. GH secretion can also be induced by other peptides, such as ghrelin, which interacts with receptors present in somatotropic cells. It is well established that GH acts directly on target cells or indirectly by stimulating the production of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), particularly IGF-1. Notably, such somatotropic circuitry is also involved in the development and function of immune cells and organs, including the thymus. Interestingly, GH, IGF-1, ghrelin, and somatostatin are expressed in the thymus in the lymphoid and microenvironmental compartments, where they stimulate the secretion of soluble factors and extracellular matrix molecules involved in the general process of intrathymic T-cell development. Clinical trials in which GH was used to treat immunocompromised patients successfully recovered thymic function. Additionally, there is evidence that the reduction in the function of the somatotropic axis is associated with age-related thymus atrophy. Treatment with GH, IGF-1 or ghrelin can restore thymopoiesis of old animals, thus in keeping with a clinical study showing that treatment with GH, associated with metformin and dehydroepiandrosterone, could induce thymus regeneration in healthy aged individuals. In conclusion, the molecules of the somatotrophic axis can be envisioned as potential therapeutic targets for thymus regeneration in age-related or pathological thymus involution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Danielma dos Santos Reis
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciana Peixoto Veneziani
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- INOVA-IOC Network on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Felipe Lima Porto
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marvin Paulo Lins
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniella Arêas Mendes-da-Cruz
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- INOVA-IOC Network on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Wilson Savino
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- INOVA-IOC Network on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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36
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Majumdar S, Pontejo SM, Jaiswal H, Gao JL, Salancy A, Stassenko E, Yamane H, McDermott DH, Balabanian K, Bachelerie F, Murphy PM. Severe CD8+ T Lymphopenia in WHIM Syndrome Caused by Selective Sequestration in Primary Immune Organs. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 210:1913-1924. [PMID: 37133343 PMCID: PMC10247468 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, infections, and myelokathexis (WHIM) syndrome is an ultra-rare combined primary immunodeficiency disease caused by heterozygous gain-of-function mutations in the chemokine receptor CXCR4. WHIM patients typically present with recurrent acute infections associated with myelokathexis (severe neutropenia due to bone marrow retention of mature neutrophils). Severe lymphopenia is also common, but the only associated chronic opportunistic pathogen is human papillomavirus and mechanisms are not clearly defined. In this study, we show that WHIM mutations cause more severe CD8 than CD4 lymphopenia in WHIM patients and WHIM model mice. Mechanistic studies in mice revealed selective and WHIM allele dose-dependent accumulation of mature CD8 single-positive cells in thymus in a cell-intrinsic manner due to prolonged intrathymic residence, associated with increased CD8 single-positive thymocyte chemotactic responses in vitro toward the CXCR4 ligand CXCL12. In addition, mature WHIM CD8+ T cells preferentially home to and are retained in the bone marrow in mice in a cell-intrinsic manner. Administration of the specific CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 (plerixafor) in mice rapidly and transiently corrected T cell lymphopenia and the CD4/CD8 ratio. After lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection, we found no difference in memory CD8+ T cell differentiation or viral load between wild-type and WHIM model mice. Thus, lymphopenia in WHIM syndrome may involve severe CXCR4-dependent CD8+ T cell deficiency resulting in part from sequestration in the primary lymphoid organs, thymus, and bone marrow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamik Majumdar
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Sergio M. Pontejo
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Hemant Jaiswal
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Ji-Liang Gao
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Abigail Salancy
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Elizabeth Stassenko
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Hidehiro Yamane
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - David H. McDermott
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Karl Balabanian
- Université Paris-Cité, Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, OPALE Carnot Institute, EMiLy, INSERM U1160, Paris, France
| | - Françoise Bachelerie
- Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM, Inflammation, Microbiome and Immunosurveillance, Orsay, France
| | - Philip M. Murphy
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
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37
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Lucas B, White AJ, Klein F, Veiga-Villauriz C, Handel A, Bacon A, Cosway EJ, James KD, Parnell SM, Ohigashi I, Takahama Y, Jenkinson WE, Hollander GA, Lu WY, Anderson G. Embryonic keratin19 + progenitors generate multiple functionally distinct progeny to maintain epithelial diversity in the adult thymus medulla. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2066. [PMID: 37045811 PMCID: PMC10097809 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37589-4] [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: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The thymus medulla is a key site for immunoregulation and tolerance, and its functional specialisation is achieved through the complexity of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC). While the importance of the medulla for thymus function is clear, the production and maintenance of mTEC diversity remains poorly understood. Here, using ontogenetic and inducible fate-mapping approaches, we identify mTEC-restricted progenitors as a cytokeratin19+ (K19+) TEC subset that emerges in the embryonic thymus. Importantly, labelling of a single cohort of K19+ TEC during embryogenesis sustains the production of multiple mTEC subsets into adulthood, including CCL21+ mTEClo, Aire+ mTEChi and thymic tuft cells. We show K19+ progenitors arise prior to the acquisition of multiple mTEC-defining features including RANK and CCL21 and are generated independently of the key mTEC regulator, Relb. In conclusion, we identify and define a multipotent mTEC progenitor that emerges during embryogenesis to support mTEC diversity into adult life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth Lucas
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Andrea J White
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Fabian Klein
- Department of Paediatrics and Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Clara Veiga-Villauriz
- Department of Paediatrics and Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Adam Handel
- Department of Paediatrics and Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrea Bacon
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Emilie J Cosway
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Kieran D James
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Sonia M Parnell
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Izumi Ohigashi
- Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Yousuke Takahama
- Thymus Biology Section, Experimental Immunology Branch, NCI/NIH, Bethesda, USA
| | - William E Jenkinson
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Georg A Hollander
- Department of Paediatrics and Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Paediatric Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Children's Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Wei-Yu Lu
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Graham Anderson
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
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38
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Chiu H, Linsley PS, Ziegler SF. Investigating Thymic Epithelial Cell Diversity Using Systems Biology. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 210:888-894. [PMID: 36947816 PMCID: PMC10037528 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is an intricate organ consisting of a diverse population of thymic epithelial cells (TECs). Cortical and medullary TECs and their subpopulations have distinct roles in coordinating the development and selection of functionally competent and self-tolerant T cells. Recent advances made in technologies such as single-cell RNA sequencing have made it possible to investigate and resolve the heterogeneity in TECs. These findings have provided further understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating TEC function and expression of tissue-restricted Ags. In this brief review, we focus on the newly characterized subsets of TECs and their diversity in relation to their functions in supporting T cell development. We also discuss recent discoveries in expression of self-antigens in the context of TEC development as well as the cellular and molecular changes occurring during embryonic development to thymic involution.
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Ren T, Chen C, Danilov AV, Liu S, Guan X, Du S, Wu X, Sherman MH, Spellman PT, Coussens LM, Adey AC, Mills GB, Wu LY, Xia Z. Supervised learning of high-confidence phenotypic subpopulations from single-cell data. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.23.533712. [PMID: 36993424 PMCID: PMC10055361 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.23.533712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Accurately identifying phenotype-relevant cell subsets from heterogeneous cell populations is crucial for delineating the underlying mechanisms driving biological or clinical phenotypes. Here, by deploying a learning with rejection strategy, we developed a novel supervised learning framework called PENCIL to identify subpopulations associated with categorical or continuous phenotypes from single-cell data. By embedding a feature selection function into this flexible framework, for the first time, we were able to select informative features and identify cell subpopulations simultaneously, which enables the accurate identification of phenotypic subpopulations otherwise missed by methods incapable of concurrent gene selection. Furthermore, the regression mode of PENCIL presents a novel ability for supervised phenotypic trajectory learning of subpopulations from single-cell data. We conducted comprehensive simulations to evaluate PENCIĽs versatility in simultaneous gene selection, subpopulation identification and phenotypic trajectory prediction. PENCIL is fast and scalable to analyze 1 million cells within 1 hour. Using the classification mode, PENCIL detected T-cell subpopulations associated with melanoma immunotherapy outcomes. Moreover, when applied to scRNA-seq of a mantle cell lymphoma patient with drug treatment across multiple time points, the regression mode of PENCIL revealed a transcriptional treatment response trajectory. Collectively, our work introduces a scalable and flexible infrastructure to accurately identify phenotype-associated subpopulations from single-cell data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Ren
- Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Canping Chen
- Computational Biology Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | - Susan Liu
- Computational Biology Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Xiangnan Guan
- Department of Oncology Biomarker Development, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shunyi Du
- Computational Biology Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Xiwei Wu
- City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Mara H. Sherman
- Department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Paul T. Spellman
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Lisa M. Coussens
- Department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Andrew C. Adey
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Gordon B. Mills
- Division of Oncological Sciences Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Ling-Yun Wu
- Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zheng Xia
- Computational Biology Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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Pioli KT, Lau KH, Pioli PD. Thymus antibody-secreting cells possess an interferon gene signature and are preferentially expanded in young female mice. iScience 2023; 26:106223. [PMID: 36890795 PMCID: PMC9986522 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) are key contributors to humoral immunity through immunoglobulin production and the potential to be long-lived. ASC persistence has been recognized in the autoimmune thymus (THY); however, only recently has this population been appreciated in healthy THY tissue. We showed that the young female THY was skewed toward higher production of ASCs relative to males. However, these differences disappeared with age. In both sexes, THY ASCs included Ki-67+ plasmablasts which required CD154(CD40L) signals for their propagation. Single cell RNA-sequencing revealed that THY ASCs were enriched for an interferon responsive transcriptional signature relative to those from bone marrow and spleen. Flow cytometry confirmed that THY ASCs had increased levels of Toll-like receptor 7 as well as CD69 and major histocompatibility complex class II. Overall, we identified fundamental aspects of THY ASC biology which may be leveraged for future in depth studies of this population in both health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- KimAnh T Pioli
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N5E5, Canada
| | - Kin H Lau
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Core, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Peter D Pioli
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N5E5, Canada
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Sousa LG, Rodrigues PM, Alves NL. T-cell selection in the thymus: New routes toward the identification of the self-peptide ligandome presented by thymic epithelial cells. Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2250202. [PMID: 36642953 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202250202] [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: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Within the thymus, thymic epithelial cells (TECs) provide a dedicated niche for the selection of functional T cells expressing a highly variable and self-tolerant T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire. In this minireview, we start by summarizing recent studies that have improved our understanding on the composition of cortical TEC and medullary TEC microenvironments. Next, we focus on the molecular processes that control the function of TECs in T-cell selection. In particular, we discuss the role of cortical TECs in positive selection and the pathways employed by these cells to generate and present selecting self-peptides:MHC II complexes. Several studies have underscored the role of the β5t-containing thymoproteasome in the production of unique MHC I-bound peptides critical for CD8 T-cell selection. Contrarily, the identity of the molecular determinants that regulate the generation of MHC II-bound self-peptides capable of positive selecting CD4 T cells is far more uncertain. We highlight recent advances that interconnect the autophagy-lysosomal pathway, the presentation of specific sets of self-peptide:MHC II complexes, and the diversification of CD4 TCR repertoire. Lastly, we discuss how these findings may open up new avenues for deciphering the identity of the MHC I and MHC II ligandome in the thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura G Sousa
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
- Doctoral Program in Molecular and Cell Biology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro M Rodrigues
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno L Alves
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
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Rodrigues PM, Sousa LG, Perrod C, Maceiras AR, Ferreirinha P, Pombinho R, Romera-Cárdenas G, Gomez-Lazaro M, Senkara M, Pistolic J, Cabanes D, Klein L, Saftig P, Alves NL. LAMP2 regulates autophagy in the thymic epithelium and thymic stroma-dependent CD4 T cell development. Autophagy 2023; 19:426-439. [PMID: 35535798 PMCID: PMC9851248 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2022.2074105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Within the thymus, thymic epithelial cells (TECs) provide dedicated thymic stroma microenvironments for T cell development. Because TEC functionality is sensitive to aging and cytoablative therapies, unraveling the molecular elements that coordinate their thymopoietic role has fundamental and clinical implications. Particularly, the selection of CD4 T cells depends on interactions between TCRs expressed on T cell precursors and self-peptides:MHC II complexes presented by cortical TECs (cTECs). Although the macroautophagy/autophagy-lysosomal protein degradation pathway is implicated in CD4 T cell selection, the molecular mechanism that controls the generation of selecting MHC II ligands remains elusive. LAMP2 (lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2) is a well-recognized mediator of autolysosome (AL) maturation. We showed that LAMP2 is highly expressed in cTECs. Notably, genetic inactivation of Lamp2 in thymic stromal cells specifically impaired the development of CD4 T cells that completed positive selection, without misdirecting MHC II-restricted cells into the CD8 lineage. Mechanistically, defects in autophagy in lamp2-deficient cTECs were linked to alterations in MHC II processing, which was associated with a marked reduction in CD4 TCR repertoire diversity selected within the lamp2-deficient thymic stroma. Together, our findings suggest that LAMP2 interconnects the autophagy-lysosomal axis and the processing of selecting self-peptides:MHC II complexes in cTECs, underling its implications for the generation of a broad CD4 TCR repertoire.Abbreviations: AIRE: autoimmune regulator (autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy); AL: autolysosome; AP: autophagosome; Baf-A1: bafilomycin A1; B2M: beta-2 microglobulin; CTSL: cathepsin L; CD74/Ii: CD74 antigen (invariant polypeptide of major histocompatibility complex, class II antigen-associated); CFSE: carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester; CFU: colony-forming unit; CLIP: class II-associated invariant chain peptides; cTECs: cortical TECs dKO: double knockout; DN: double negative; DP: double positive; ENPEP/LY51: glutamyl aminopeptidase; FOXP3: forkhead box; P3 IFNG/IFNγ: interferon gamma; IKZF2/HELIOS: IKAROS family zinc finger 2; IL2RA/CD25: interleukin 2 receptor, alpha chain; KO: knockout; LAMP2: lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2; LIP: lymphopenia-induced proliferation; Lm: Listeria monocytogenes; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3; MHC: major histocompatibility complex; mTECs: medullary TECs; PRSS16/TSSP: protease, serine 16 (thymus); SELL/CD62L: selectin, lymphocyte; SP: single positive; TCR: T cell receptor; TCRB: T cell receptor beta chain; TECs: thymic epithelial cells; UEA-1: Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1; WT: wild-type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro M. Rodrigues
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
| | - Laura G. Sousa
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal,Doctoral Program in Molecular and Cell Biology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Chiara Perrod
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana R. Maceiras
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Ferreirinha
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rita Pombinho
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
| | - Gema Romera-Cárdenas
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
| | - María Gomez-Lazaro
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Porto, Portugal
| | - Meryem Senkara
- Biochemisches Institut, Christian Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jelena Pistolic
- Genomics Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Didier Cabanes
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ludger Klein
- Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Paul Saftig
- Biochemisches Institut, Christian Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Nuno L. Alves
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal,CONTACT Nuno L. Alves Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, Porto4200-135, Portugal
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Matsumoto M, Yoshida H, Tsuneyama K, Oya T, Matsumoto M. Revisiting Aire and tissue-restricted antigens at single-cell resolution. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1176450. [PMID: 37207224 PMCID: PMC10191227 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1176450] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The thymus is a highly specialized organ that plays an indispensable role in the establishment of self-tolerance, a process characterized by the "education" of developing T-cells. To provide competent T-cells tolerant to self-antigens, medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) orchestrate negative selection by ectopically expressing a wide range of genes, including various tissue-restricted antigens (TRAs). Notably, recent advancements in the high-throughput single-cell analysis have revealed remarkable heterogeneity in mTECs, giving us important clues for dissecting the mechanisms underlying TRA expression. We overview how recent single-cell studies have furthered our understanding of mTECs, with a focus on the role of Aire in inducing mTEC heterogeneity to encompass TRAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoru Matsumoto
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
- *Correspondence: Minoru Matsumoto,
| | - Hideyuki Yoshida
- YCI Laboratory for Immunological Transcriptomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Koichi Tsuneyama
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Takeshi Oya
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Matsumoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
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Morales-Sanchez A, Shissler SC, Cowan JE, Bhandoola A. Revelations in Thymic Epithelial Cell Biology and Heterogeneity from Single-Cell RNA Sequencing and Lineage Tracing Methodologies. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2580:25-49. [PMID: 36374449 PMCID: PMC10802793 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2740-2_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) make up the thymic microenvironments that support the generation of a functionally competent and self-tolerant T-cell repertoire. Cortical (c)TECs, present in the cortex, are essential for early thymocyte development including selection of thymocytes expressing functional TCRs (positive selection). Medullary (m)TECs, located in the medulla, play a key role in late thymocyte development, including depletion of self-reactive T cells (negative selection) and selection of regulatory T cells. In recent years, transcriptomic analysis by single-cell (sc)RNA sequencing (Seq) has revealed TEC heterogeneity previously masked by population-level RNA-Seq or phenotypic studies. We summarize the discoveries made possible by scRNA-Seq, including the identification of novel mTEC subsets, advances in understanding mTEC promiscuous gene expression, and TEC alterations from embryonic to adult stages. Whereas pseudotime analyses of scRNA-Seq data can suggest relationships between TEC subsets, experimental methods such as lineage tracing and reaggregate thymic organ culture (RTOC) are required to test these hypotheses. Lineage tracing - namely, of β5t or Aire expressing cells - has exposed progenitor and parent-daughter cellular relationships within TEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Morales-Sanchez
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- Children's Hospital of Mexico Federico Gomez, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Susannah C Shissler
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer E Cowan
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Avinash Bhandoola
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Bosselut R. A Beginner's Guide to T Cell Development. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2580:3-24. [PMID: 36374448 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2740-2_1] [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] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
T lymphocytes (T cells) are essential components of the adaptive immune system; they serve multiple functions in responses to pathogens and to ensure immune homeostasis. Written for readers first entering this field of study, this chapter is a brief overview of the development of T cells in the thymus, from the entry of thymus-settling bone marrow-derived precursors to the egress of mature T cells. Surveyed topics include the differentiation and expansion of early precursors, the generation of the T cell antigen receptor repertoire, the selection of αβ T cell precursors, and their acquisition of functional competency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rémy Bosselut
- Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Depoërs L, Dumont-Lagacé M, Trinh VQH, Houques C, Côté C, Larouche JD, Brochu S, Perreault C. Klf4 protects thymus integrity during late pregnancy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1016378. [PMID: 37180153 PMCID: PMC10174329 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1016378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy causes abrupt thymic atrophy. This atrophy is characterized by a severe decrease in the number of all thymocyte subsets and qualitative (but not quantitative) changes in thymic epithelial cells (TECs). Pregnancy-related thymic involution is triggered by progesterone-induced functional changes affecting mainly cortical TECs (cTECs). Remarkably, this severe involution is rapidly corrected following parturition. We postulated that understanding the mechanisms of pregnancy-related thymic changes could provide novel insights into signaling pathways regulating TEC function. When we analyzed genes whose expression in TECs was modified during late pregnancy, we found a strong enrichment in genes bearing KLF4 transcription factor binding motifs. We, therefore, engineered a Psmb11-iCre : Klf4lox/lox mouse model to study the impact of TEC-specific Klf4 deletion in steady-state conditions and during late pregnancy. Under steady-state conditions, Klf4 deletion had a minimal effect on TEC subsets and did not affect thymic architecture. However, pregnancy-induced thymic involution was much more pronounced in pregnant females lacking Klf4 expression in TECs. These mice displayed a substantial ablation of TECs with a more pronounced loss of thymocytes. Transcriptomic and phenotypic analyses of Klf4 -/- TECs revealed that Klf4 maintains cTEC numbers by supporting cell survival and preventing epithelial-to-mesenchymal plasticity during late pregnancy. We conclude that Klf4 is essential for preserving TEC's integrity and mitigating thymic involution during late pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucyle Depoërs
- Department of Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Maude Dumont-Lagacé
- ExCellThera, Inc., Montréal, QC, Canada
- Piercing Star Technologies, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Vincent Quoc-Huy Trinh
- Department of Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Cellular Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, and Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Chloé Houques
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Caroline Côté
- Department of Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-David Larouche
- Department of Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sylvie Brochu
- Department of Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Sylvie Brochu, ; Claude Perreault,
| | - Claude Perreault
- Department of Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Sylvie Brochu, ; Claude Perreault,
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Chen J, Deng JC, Goldstein DR. How aging impacts vaccine efficacy: known molecular and cellular mechanisms and future directions. Trends Mol Med 2022; 28:1100-1111. [PMID: 36216643 PMCID: PMC9691569 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Aging leads to a gradual dysregulation of immune functions, one consequence of which is reduced vaccine efficacy. In this review, we discuss several key contributing factors to the age-related decline in vaccine efficacy, such as alterations within the lymph nodes where germinal center (GC) reactions take place, alterations in the B cell compartment, alterations in the T cell compartment, and dysregulation of innate immune pathways. Additionally, we discuss several methods currently used in vaccine development to bolster vaccine efficacy in older adults. This review highlights the multifactorial defects that impair vaccine responses with aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judy Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Program in Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jane C Deng
- Program in Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Daniel R Goldstein
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Program in Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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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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CTLA-4 on thymic epithelial cells complements Aire for T cell central tolerance. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2215474119. [PMID: 36409920 PMCID: PMC9860321 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2215474119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) are essential for the establishment of T cell central tolerance. The transcription factor Aire plays a key role in this process, but other factors remain understudied. We found that a small population of mTECs expressed the coinhibitory receptor cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4). These CTLA-4+ cells were detectable in perinates, peaked around young adulthood and expanded sixfold in the absence of Aire. Single-cell transcriptomics revealed CTLA-4+ mTECs to express a distinct gene signature encoding molecules associated with antigen presentation and interferon-gamma signaling. Mice conditionally lacking CTLA-4 in thymic epithelial cells had no major immunological deficiencies but displayed a mildly increased inflammatory tone and a partial defect in the generation of Foxp3+CD4+ regulatory T cells. Consequently, these mice developed modest levels of autoantibodies and lymphocytic infiltration of peripheral tissues. Thus, CTLA-4 expression in mTECs complements Aire to establish T cell central tolerance.
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50
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White AJ, Parnell SM, Handel A, Maio S, Bacon A, Cosway EJ, Lucas B, James KD, Cowan JE, Jenkinson WE, Hollander GA, Anderson G. Diversity in Cortical Thymic Epithelial Cells Occurs through Loss of a Foxn1-Dependent Gene Signature Driven by Stage-Specific Thymocyte Cross-Talk. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 210:ji2200609. [PMID: 36427001 PMCID: PMC9772400 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
In the thymus, cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTECs) and medullary thymic epithelial cells support αβT cell development from lymphoid progenitors. For cTECs, expression of a specialized gene signature that includes Cxcl12, Dll4, and Psmb11 enables the cortex to support T lineage commitment and the generation and selection of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes. Although the importance of cTECs in T cell development is well defined, mechanisms that shape the cTEC compartment and regulate its functional specialization are unclear. Using a Cxcl12DsRed reporter mouse model, we show that changes in Cxcl12 expression reveal a developmentally regulated program of cTEC heterogeneity. Although cTECs are uniformly Cxcl12DsRed+ during neonatal stages, progression through postnatal life triggers the appearance of Cxcl12DsRed- cTECs that continue to reside in the cortex alongside their Cxcl12DsRed+ counterparts. This appearance of Cxcl12DsRed- cTECs is controlled by maturation of CD4-CD8-, but not CD4+CD8+, thymocytes, demonstrating that stage-specific thymocyte cross-talk controls cTEC heterogeneity. Importantly, although fate-mapping experiments show both Cxcl12DsRed+ and Cxcl12DsRed- cTECs share a common Foxn1+ cell origin, RNA sequencing analysis shows Cxcl12DsRed- cTECs no longer express Foxn1, which results in loss of the FOXN1-dependent cTEC gene signature and may explain the reduced capacity of Cxcl12DsRed- cTECs for thymocyte interactions. In summary, our study shows that shaping of the cTEC compartment during the life course occurs via stage-specific thymocyte cross-talk, which drives loss of Foxn1 expression and its key target genes, which may then determine the functional competence of the thymic cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea J. White
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sonia M. Parnell
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Handel
- Department of Paediatrics and Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Stefano Maio
- Department of Paediatrics and Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Bacon
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Emilie J. Cosway
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Beth Lucas
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Kieran D. James
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer E. Cowan
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - William E. Jenkinson
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Georg A. Hollander
- Department of Paediatrics and Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Paediatric Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Children’s Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; and
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Graham Anderson
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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