Article
Immunology
Huan Xia, Suijuan Zhong, Yixiao Zhao, Boyang Ren, Zhongnan Wang, Yaoyao Shi, Qian Chai, Xiaoqun Wang, Mingzhao Zhu
Summary: Through studying different mouse models, we found that endothelial lymphotoxin beta receptor plays a key role in thymic egress, with T cell-derived ligands lymphotoxin and LIGHT being essential for this process. The research on thymic portal endothelial cells (TPECs) revealed that they serve as the exit site for mature thymocytes, and can be further classified into two subsets based on BST-1 expression levels.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Kieran D. James, William E. Jenkinson, Graham Anderson
Summary: The thymus supports T-cell development through specialized microenvironments consisting of stromal cells, including thymic epithelial cells and non-epithelial stromal cells. While the roles of thymic epithelial cells in T-cell development have been extensively studied, the developmental origins and functional properties of non-epithelial stromal cells remain poorly understood. Experimental evidence suggests that these non-epithelial stromal cells play important roles in thymus function by influencing T-cell development directly or regulating thymic epithelial cell development and function indirectly.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Manpreet K. Semwal, Allison K. Hester, Yangming Xiao, Chioma Udeaja, Sergio Cepeda, John S. Verschelde, Nicholas Jones, Sarah A. Wedemeyer, Simon Emtage, Kymberly Wimberly, Ann V. Griffith
Summary: This study reveals that constitutive autophagy in TSCs is regulated by low expression of catalase, which affects central T cell tolerance and may be associated with the development of autoimmune diseases.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kayla Templeton, Meiby Ramos, Jacqueline Rose, Bryan Le, Qingwen Zhou, Amin Cressman, Stephanie Ferreyra, Carlito B. Lebrilla, Fernando Antonio Fierro
Summary: The study demonstrates that sialylation of N-glycans in MSCs is tightly regulated in response to environmental cues, with the inhibition of sialylation by 3F-Neu5Ac resulting in increased adhesion, migration, and survival of MSCs, while also inhibiting osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Additionally, the secretion of key trophic factors by MSCs is variably affected upon exposure to 3F-Neu5Ac, suggesting glycoengineering MSCs to reduce sialylated N-glycans could enhance their therapeutic potential.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Emilie J. Cosway, Kieran D. James, Beth Lucas, Graham Anderson, Andrea J. White
Summary: Alpha beta T cells are essential components of effective immune responses, comprising subsets like CD4(+) helper cells, CD8(+) cytotoxic cells, and Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells. Their development in the thymus is crucial, with studies highlighting the critical role of the thymus medulla in shaping the peripheral T cell pool.
SEMINARS IN IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Mengdi Zhang, Xiaoxi Lin, Zhou Yang, Xia Li, Zhiguang Zhou, Paul E. Love, Jiaqi Huang, Bin Zhao
Summary: Cell metabolism plays a critical role in regulating T cell development, directing different metabolic pathways and signaling networks to match the specific functional requirements of different stages. Understanding this interplay may offer new therapeutic approaches to selectively regulate T cell subset functions and modulate autoimmunity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Lifei Hou, Koichi Yuki
Summary: This study reveals the importance of CD11c in maintaining T cell survival by showing that CD11c deficiency leads to defects in T cell development in mice.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Rongjie Guo, Qi Liang, Yun He, Chenchen Wang, Jiaxuan Jiang, Taige Chen, Di Zhang, Kai Hu
Summary: We investigated the therapeutic effects of MSC-EVs and their inhibition of DCs functions in DED. In vitro, MSC-EVs protected HCECs from hyperosmotic stress and suppressed inflammatory cytokine expression. In vivo, topically treated mice showed reduced DED severity and decreased expression of inflammatory cytokines and Th17 cells. MSC-EVs also suppressed the increase and maturation of DCs in DED and inhibited changes in DCs morphology. These findings demonstrate that MSC-EVs have therapeutic potential in DED by inhibiting DCs activation-mediated Th17 immune responses.
Article
Rheumatology
Leonie Schittenhelm, Jamie Robertson, Arthur G. Pratt, Catharien M. Hilkens, Vicky L. Morrison
Summary: The study found opposing expression patterns of CD11a and CD11b in dendritic cells (DCs) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, with CD11a reduced and CD11b increased in inflammatory environments. The research demonstrated that CD11b blockade impaired T cell activation in DC-T cell co-cultures, highlighting the potential of DC integrins as novel intervention targets in RA.
Article
Immunology
Lidia Jimenez-Garcia, Christopher Mayer, Patrick G. Burrola, Youtong Huang, Maxim N. Shokhirev, Greg Lemke
Summary: This study identifies Axl and Mer as crucial components for the recognition and clearance of apoptotic cells by thymic macrophages. Lack of Axl and Mer leads to accumulation of apoptotic cells and decreased number of phagocytic macrophages, as well as reduced expression of other engulfment systems. These deficits also affect hemoglobin turnover and iron metabolism, resulting in anemia.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Meng Feng, Shuping Zhou, Yong Yu, Qinghong Su, Xiaofan Li, Wei Lin
Summary: Dendritic cells (DCs) are a class of antigen-presenting cells with crucial roles in immune activation and tolerance. Understanding the migration mechanisms and regulatory factors of different DC subgroups provides new insights for disease treatment, such as infection, tumors, and vaccine preparation. Various factors, including chemokines, membrane molecules, and microenvironments, influence DC migration and immunological functions.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Yu Gao, Ruining Liu, Chenfei He, Juan Basile, Mattias Vesterlund, Marie Wahren-Herlenius, Alexander Espinoza, Cassandra Hokka-Zakrisson, Fahad Zadjali, Akihiko Yoshimura, Mikael Karlsson, Berit Carow, Martin E. Rottenberg
Summary: SOCS3 is a critical regulator of immune responses and inflammation, with its expression in thymic stromal cells being essential for T cell development and maintenance of thymus architecture. The inhibition of SOCS3 led to impaired thymocyte differentiation, proliferation, and increased apoptosis at different cell stages, ultimately affecting the generation of recent thymic emigrants in peripheral organs. The interaction between SOCS3 in thymic epithelial cells and TRIM 21 had significant implications for thymic cellularity and gene expression related to T cell selection and lympho-stromal interactions.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Yan Li, Pei Chen, Hao Huang, Huiyu Feng, Hao Ran, Weibin Liu
Summary: This study found that all common DC subsets are present in the human thymus of various ages, with the density of pDCs gradually increasing with age, suggesting an additional role of pDCs in the thymus beyond central tolerance. The ratio of medulla to cortex area in the human thymus increases with age, while the densities of different DC subsets also show changes.
Review
Immunology
Takeshi Nitta
Summary: The microenvironment of the thymus consists of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and mesenchymal stromal cells, which play crucial roles in T cell development and selection. While TECs are well-studied, the immunological significance of mesenchymal stromal cells, particularly fibroblasts, has been less explored. Recent advancements in technology have allowed for the identification and characterization of these cells, revealing their unique functions in thymic organogenesis and T cell development.
INFLAMMATION AND REGENERATION
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Yannick O. Alexandre, Dominik Schienstock, Hyun Jae Lee, Luke C. Gandolfo, Cameron G. Williams, Sapna Devi, Bhupinder Pal, Joanna R. Groom, Wang Cao, Susan N. Christo, Claire L. Gordon, Graham Starkey, Rohit D'Costa, Laura K. Mackay, Ashraful Haque, Burkhard Ludewig, Gabrielle T. Belz, Scott N. Mueller
Summary: This article provides a comprehensive understanding of the cellular and molecular characteristics of fibroblastic stromal cells in the spleen, revealing their significance and diversity in maintaining tissue homeostasis and orchestrating immune responses.
SCIENCE IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
