Bioengineering mini functional thymic units with EAK16-II/EAKIIH6 self-assembling hydrogel

Clin Immunol. 2015 Sep;160(1):82-9. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2015.03.010. Epub 2015 Mar 21.

Abstract

Herein, we highlight the technical feasibility of generating a functional mini thymus with a novel hydrogel system, based on a peptide-based self-assembly platform that can induce the formation of 3-D thymic epithelial cell (TEC) clusters. Amphiphilic peptide EAK16-II co-assembled with its histidinylated analogue EAKIIH6 into beta-sheet fibrils. When adaptor complexes (recombinant protein A/G molecules loaded with both anti-His and anti-EpCAM IgGs) were added to the mix, TECs were tethered to the hydrogel and formed 3-D mini clusters. TECs bound to the hydrogel composites retained their molecular properties; and when transplanted into athymic nude mice, they supported the development of functional T-cells. These mini thymic units of TECs can be useful in clinical applications to reconstitute T-cell adaptive immunity.

Keywords: EAK16-II; Hydrogel; Self-assembly; Thymic epithelial cells; Thymopoiesis; Thymus.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bioengineering / methods*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Hydrogels / chemistry*
  • Lymphopoiesis / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Nude
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry*
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • Thymus Gland / cytology*
  • Tissue Scaffolds*

Substances

  • EAK16 peptide
  • Hydrogels
  • Oligopeptides
  • Peptides