Molecular regulatory networks of thymic epithelial cell differentiation

Rong Luan; Zhanfeng Liang; Qian Zhang; Liguang Sun; Yong Zhao

doi:10.1016/j.diff.2019.06.002

Molecular regulatory networks of thymic epithelial cell differentiation

Differentiation. 2019 May-Jun:107:42-49. doi: 10.1016/j.diff.2019.06.002. Epub 2019 Jun 14.

Authors

Rong Luan¹, Zhanfeng Liang¹, Qian Zhang², Liguang Sun³, Yong Zhao⁴

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
² State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
³ Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China. Electronic address: Sunliguang1717@vip.163.com.
⁴ State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. Electronic address: zhaoy@ioz.ac.cn.

PMID: 31238242
DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2019.06.002

Abstract

Functional mature T cells are generated in the thymus. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) provide the essential microenvironment for T cell development and maturation. According to their function and localization, TECs are roughly divided into cortical TECs (cTECs) and medullary TECs (mTECs), which are responsible for positive and negative selection, respectively. This review summarizes the current understanding of TEC biology, the identification of fetal and adult bipotent TEC progenitors, and the signaling pathways that control the development and maturation of TECs. The understanding of the ontogeny, differentiation, maturation and function of cTECs lags behind that of mTECs. Better understanding TEC biology will provide clues about TEC development and the applications of thymus engineering.

Keywords: Foxn1; TEC progenitor; Thymic epithelial cell; Thymopoisis.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Cell Differentiation
Epithelial Cells / cytology*
Signal Transduction
T-Lymphocytes / cytology
Thymocytes / cytology*
Thymus Gland / cytology*
Tissue Engineering