Journal Article

DKFZ-2017-04463

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Adult thymus contains FoxN1(-) epithelial stem cells that are bipotent for medullary and cortical thymic epithelial lineages.

Ucar, A. (First author)DKFZ* ; Ucar, O.DKFZ* ; Klug, P.DKFZ* ; Matt, S.DKFZ* ; Brunk, F.DKFZ* ; Hofmann, T.DKFZ* ; Kyewski, B. (Last author)DKFZ*

2014
Cell Press [Cambridge, Mass.]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1016/j.immuni.2014.07.005

Abstract: Within the thymus, two major thymic epithelial cell (TEC) subsets-cortical and medullary TECs-provide unique structural and functional niches for T cell development and establishment of central tolerance. Both lineages are believed to originate from a common progenitor cell, yet the cellular and molecular identity of these bipotent TEC progenitors/stem cells remains ill defined. Here we identify rare stromal cells in the murine adult thymus, which under low-attachment conditions formed spheres (termed 'thymospheres'). These thymosphere-forming cells (TSFCs) displayed the stemness features of being slow cycling, self-renewing, and bipotent. TSFCs could be significantly enriched based on their distinct surface antigen phenotype. The FoxN1 transcription factor was dispensable for TSFCs maintenance in situ and for commitment to the medullary and cortical TEC lineages. In summary, this study presents the characterization of the adult thymic epithelial stem cells and demonstrates the dispensability of FoxN1 function for their stemness.

Keyword(s): Antigens, CD24 ; Antigens, Ly ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; Cd24a protein, mouse ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; Ly6a protein, mouse ; Membrane Proteins ; Whn protein ; Antigens, CD45 ; Ptprc protein, mouse

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Entwicklungsimmunologie (D090)
2. Zelluläre Seneszenz (A210)

Research Program(s):

1. 314 - Tumor immunology (POF3-314) (POF3-314)

Appears in the scientific report 2014

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Database coverage:
; BIOSIS Previews ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; IF >= 20 ; JCR ; NCBI Molecular Biology Database ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Thomson Reuters Master Journal List ; Web of Science Core Collection

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