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)
Article
Immunology
G. M. Corral-Ruiz, M. J. Perez-Vega, A. Galan-Salinas, I. Mancilla-Herrera, J. Barrios-Payan, L. Fabila-Castillo, R. Hernandez-Pando, L. E. Sanchez-Torres
Summary: This study investigated the impact of malaria parasites on the thymus and found that infection resulted in reduced thymic weight and cellularity, primarily affecting T cell differentiation and development. Thymic atrophy was not associated with elevated serum cytokines levels but with increased glucocorticoid levels. Both malaria infection models caused the same extent of thymic damage, regardless of parasitemia level but dependent on the specific host-parasite interaction.
IMMUNOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
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)
Review
Immunology
Manpreet K. Semwal, Nicholas E. Jones, Ann V. Griffith
Summary: The thymus is crucial for T lymphocyte development, with thymic stromal cells playing an important role. Metabolic regulation of thymic stromal cell function is an emerging area of study.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Pedro M. Rodrigues, Laura G. Sousa, Chiara Perrod, Ana R. Maceiras, Pedro Ferreirinha, Rita Pombinho, Gema Romera-Cardenas, Maria Gomez-Lazaro, Meryem Senkara, Jelena Pistolic, Didier Cabanes, Ludger Klein, Paul Saftig, Nuno L. Alves
Summary: Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are crucial for T cell development. This study reveals that lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2) is highly expressed in cortical TECs (cTECs) and plays a role in autophagy and lysosomal processes. Genetic inactivation of Lamp2 in cTECs impairs the development of CD4 T cells without directing MHC II-restricted cells into the CD8 lineage. The findings suggest that LAMP2 is important for the generation of selecting self-peptides:MHC II complexes in cTECs.
Article
Immunology
Ekaterina Orlova, Olga Loginova, Sergei Shirshev
Summary: Leptin, a hormone derived from fat cells, plays a crucial role in regulating food intake, body weight, immunity, and reproduction. It signals through specific membrane receptors in immune cells, including dendritic cells and thymocytes. Leptin affects the distribution and function of thymocytes by influencing activated dendritic cells.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
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
Developmental Biology
Jie Li, Lucas P. Wachsmuth, Shiyun Xiao, Brian G. Condie, Nancy R. Manley
Summary: The transcription factor FOXN1 is crucial for fetal thymic epithelial cell differentiation and proliferation. The K5.Foxn1 transgene can induce overexpression in mouse TECs without causing hyperplasia or delaying or preventing aging-related involution. It cannot rescue thymus size in Foxn1lacZ/lacZ mice, but TEC differentiation and cortico-medullary organization are still maintained.
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)
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)
Review
Immunology
Ruben G. R. Pinheiro, Nuno L. Alves
Summary: TECs play an essential role in the formation of functionally diverse and self-tolerant T cells, particularly in the first weeks after birth in mice. Recent studies highlight the critical coordination between the expansion and maturation of TECs during this period and their specialized role in T cell development and selection. The impact of aging on TEC progenitors and maintenance of functional thymic epithelial microenvironments is discussed, along with how these changes affect the thymus's ability to sustain regular thymopoiesis throughout life.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Palmira Barreira-Silva, Rita Melo-Miranda, Claudia Nobrega, Susana Roque, Claudia Serre-Miranda, Margarida Borges, Gisela Armada, Daniela de Sa Calcada, Samuel M. Behar, Rui Appelberg, Margarida Correia-Neves
Summary: Infection with the high virulence strain of Mycobacterium avium 25291 results in progressive thymic atrophy, primarily due to a series of defects mediated by IFN-γ and NO, including alterations in BM T cell precursors, thymic structure, and thymocyte differentiation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Takeshi Nitta, Ayami Ota, Takahiro Iguchi, Ryunosuke Muro, Hiroshi Takayanagi
Summary: Fibroblasts in the thymus play important roles in thymus organogenesis and immune responses, but their immunological significance has not been fully elucidated. New technologies such as multicolor flow cytometry and single cell-based transcriptome profiling help us better understand the development and functions of thymic fibroblasts.
IMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Victoria Sun, Mark Sharpley, Karolina E. Kaczor-Urbanowicz, Patrick Chang, Amelie Montel-Hagen, Shawn Lopez, Alexandre Zampieri, Yuhua Zhu, Stephanie C. de Barros, Chintan Parekh, David Casero, Utpal Banerjee, Gay M. Crooks
Summary: Metabolic profiles of primary thymic and in vitro-derived mouse and human thymocytes were investigated using transcriptomics and extracellular flux analyses in this study. The study found that core metabolic pathways, such as glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, undergo dramatic changes during thymic T cell development, and in vitro T cell development mirrored the metabolic activity changes observed in primary thymus.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Alexandra Y. Kreins, Paola Bonfanti, E. Graham Davies
Summary: Inborn errors in thymic stromal cell development and function result in impaired T-cell development, leading to susceptibility to opportunistic infections and autoimmunity. Congenital athymia is a life-threatening disorder associated with complete DiGeorge syndrome and other genetic conditions, which can be treated with timely thymus transplantation. Immune reconstitution following treatment is often incomplete, emphasizing the need for advancements in thymus replacement therapy.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Fermin Sanchez-Guijo, Damian Garcia-Olmo, Felipe Prosper, Salvador Martinez, Agustin Zapata, Francisco Fernandez-Aviles, Juan Jose Toledo-Aral, Miguel Torres, Isabel Farinas, Lina Badimon, Jose Luis Labandeira-Garcia, Javier Garcia-Sancho, Jose M. Moraleda
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Miguel Angel Rodriguez-Milla, Alvaro Morales-Molina, Ana Judith Perise-Barrios, Teresa Cejalvo, Javier Garcia-Castro
Summary: The study found that ICOCAV17 induces a more limited host response in canine MSCs, which may be related to a better clinical outcome; Infection of human MSCs with ICOVIR-5 increased the phosphorylation of a number of proteins, including AKT and c-JUN.
CANCER GENE THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Sara Fananas-Baquero, Israel Orman, Federico Becerra Aparicio, Silvia Bermudez de Miguel, Jordi Garcia Merino, Rosa Yanez, Yolanda Fernandez Sainz, Rebeca Sanchez, Mercedes Dessy-Rodriguez, Omaira Alberquilla, David Alfaro, Agustin Zapata, Juan A. Bueren, Jose Carlos Segovia, Oscar Quintana-Bustamante
Summary: This study found that natural estrogens E2 and E4 can expand human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, with E4 being the most tolerated estrogen that promotes cycling of human hematopoietic progenitors. Additionally, E2 and E4 can double human hematopoietic engraftment in immunodeficient mice without altering other HSPC properties, potentially mediated through the regulation of mesenchymal stromal cells in the bone marrow niche.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Javier Garcia-Ceca, Sara Montero-Herradon, Agustin G. Zapata
DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS
(2020)
Review
Cell Biology
Javier Garcia-Ceca, Sara Montero-Herradon, Agustin G. Zapata
Article
Cell Biology
David Garcia-Bernal, Mariano Garcia-Arranz, Ana Garcia-Guillen, Ana M. Garcia-Hernandez, Miguel Blanquer, Damian Garcia-Olmo, Robert Sackstein, Jose M. Moraleda, Agustin G. Zapata
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Oncology
Berta Segura-Collar, Maria Garranzo-Asensio, Beatriz Herranz, Esther Hernandez-SanMiguel, Teresa Cejalvo, Barbara S. Casas, Ander Matheu, Angel Perez-Nunez, Juan Manuel Sepulveda-Sanchez, Aurelio Hernandez-Lain, Veronica Palma, Ricardo Gargini, Pilar Sanchez-Gomez
Summary: This study identifies the EGFR-related mechanisms that govern the capacity of glioma cells to transdifferentiate into pericytes, regulating the vascular and immune phenotypes of the tumors.
Editorial Material
Immunology
Sara Montero-Herradon, Javier Garcia-Ceca, Agustin G. Zapata
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
David Garcia-Bernal, Mariano Garcia-Arranz, Rosa M. Yanez, Rosario Hervas-Salcedo, Alfonso Cortes, Maria Fernandez-Garcia, Miriam Hernando-Rodriguez, Oscar Quintana-Bustamante, Juan A. Bueren, Damian Garcia-Olmo, Jose M. Moraleda, Jose C. Segovia, Agustin G. Zapata
Summary: MSCs are widely used in advanced therapies for various purposes, mainly related to inflammatory processes. Despite their demonstrated efficacy in preclinical models and early clinical trials, there are still controversies regarding their specific phenotype, delivery methods, and varied cell products. Strategies for bioengineering MSCs are being explored to enhance their properties and functional capabilities.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Silvia Sevilla-Movilla, Patricia Fuentes, Yaiza Rodriguez-Garcia, Nohemi Arellano-Sanchez, Peter W. Krenn, Soledad Isern de Val, Sara Montero-Herradon, Javier Garcia-Ceca, Valeria Burdiel-Herencia, Sofia R. Gardeta, Noemi Aguilera-Montilla, Celia Barrio-Alonso, Georgiana Crainiciuc, Daniel Bouvard, Angeles Garcia-Pardo, Agustin G. Zapata, Andres Hidalgo, Reinhard Fassler, Yolanda R. Carrasco, Maria L. Toribio, Joaquin Teixido
Summary: ICAP-1 plays an important role in the development of SP CD8(+) thymocytes and the control of marginal zone B-cell numbers.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Piotr Kobialka, Helena Sabata, Odena Vilalta, Leonor Gouveia, Ana Angulo-Urarte, Laia Muixi, Jasmina Zanoncello, Oscar Munoz-Aznar, Nagore G. Olaciregui, Lucia Fanlo, Anna Esteve-Codina, Cinzia Lavarino, Biola M. Javierre, Veronica Celis, Carlota Rovira, Susana Lopez-Fernandez, Eulalia Baselga, Jaume Mora, Sandra D. Castillo, Mariona Graupera
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of the PI3K/AKT pathway in low-flow vascular malformations and establishes a model to study and test molecular therapies for this disease. The results show that the AKT inhibitor miransertib can prevent and induce regression of PI3K-driven vascular malformations, suggesting its potential therapeutic role for these diseases.
EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Javier Garcia-Ceca, Sara Montero-Herradon, Ana Gonzalez, Rosa Plaza, Agustin G. Zapata
Summary: The lack of EphA4 alters T-cell differentiation and the histological organization of the thymus, impacting various T cell subsets as well as the proportions of thymocytes selected positively and negatively.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Fermin Sanchez-Guijo, Mariano Garcia-Arranz, Miriam Lopez-Parra, Pablo Monedero, Carmen Mata-Martinez, Arnoldo Santos, Victor Sagredo, Jose-Manuel Alvarez-Avello, Jose Eugenio Guerrero, Cesar Perez-Calvo, Miguel-Vicente Sanchez-Hernandez, Jose Luis Del-Pozo, Enrique J. Andreu, Maria-Eugenia Fernandez-Santos, Barbara Soria-Juan, Luis M. Hernandez-Blasco, Etelvina Andreu, Jose M. Sempere, Agustin G. Zapata, Jose M. Moraleda, Bernat Soria, Francisco Fernandez-Aviles, Damian Garcia-Olmo, Felipe Prosper