Intrathymic progenitor cell transplantation across histocompatibility barriers results in the persistence of early thymic progenitors and T-cell differentiation

Blood. 2013 Mar 14;121(11):2144-53. doi: 10.1182/blood-2012-08-447417. Epub 2013 Jan 10.

Abstract

Donor hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) can correct T-cell deficiencies in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency by replacing resident thymus cells. However, as those progenitors that naturally migrate to the thymus are not capable of supporting long-term thymopoiesis, a successful transplant is thought to require the ongoing migration of donor progenitors. We previously showed that the forced intrathymic administration of histocompatible HSCs can sustain long-term thymopoiesis in ZAP-70-immunodeficient mice. However, it is not known whether T-cell reconstitution across histocompatibility barriers is modulated by intrathymic vs intravenous administration of HSCs. In the absence of conditioning, long-term thymopoiesis by semiallogeneic progenitors was detected in mice transplanted via the intrathymic, but not the intravenous, route. In intrathymic-transplanted mice, ongoing thymopoiesis was associated with a 10-fold higher level of early thymic progenitors (ETPs). The enhanced reconstitution capacity of these intrathymic-derived ETPs was corroborated by their significantly augmented myeloid lineage potential compared with endogenous ETPs. Notably, though, myeloablative conditioning resulted in a reduced expansion of intrathymic-administered donor ETPs. Thus, in the absence of conditioning, the forced thymic entry of HSCs results in a sustained T-cell development across histocompatibility barriers, highlighting the capacity of the thymus to support cells with long-term renewal potential.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Graft Survival* / immunology
  • Graft Survival* / physiology
  • Hematopoiesis / immunology
  • Hematopoiesis / physiology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / methods*
  • Histocompatibility / immunology
  • Histocompatibility / physiology*
  • Histocompatibility Testing
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Lymphoid Progenitor Cells / cytology
  • Lymphoid Progenitor Cells / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Severe Combined Immunodeficiency / genetics
  • Severe Combined Immunodeficiency / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / physiology*
  • Thymus Gland* / cytology
  • Transplantation Conditioning / methods
  • ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase / deficiency
  • ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase / genetics
  • ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase / immunology

Substances

  • ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase
  • Zap70 protein, mouse

Supplementary concepts

  • ZAP70 deficiency