Key factors for thymic function and development

Shichkin, Valentin P.; Antica, Mariastefania (2022) Key factors for thymic function and development. Frontiers in Immunology, 13 . pp. 1664-3224. ISSN 1664-3224

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Abstract

The thymus is the organ responsible for T cell development and the formation of the adaptive immunity function. Its multicellular environment consists mainly of the different stromal cells and maturing T lymphocytes. Thymus-specific progenitors of epithelial, mesenchymal, and lymphoid cells with stem cell properties represent only minor populations. The thymic stromal structure predominantly determines the function of the thymus. The stromal components, mostly epithelial and mesenchymal cells, form this specialized area. They support the consistent developmental program of functionally distinct conventional T cell subpopulations. These include the MHC restricted single positive CD4+ CD8- and CD4- CD8+ cells, regulatory T lymphocytes (Foxp3+), innate natural killer T cells (iNKT), and γδT cells. Several physiological causes comprising stress and aging and medical treatments such as thymectomy and chemo/radiotherapy can harm the thymus function. The present review summarizes our knowledge of the development and function of the thymus with a focus on thymic epithelial cells as well as other stromal components and the signaling and transcriptional pathways underlying the thymic cell interaction. These critical thymus components are significant for T cell differentiation and restoring the thymic function after damage to reach the therapeutic benefits.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	thymus ; thymic epithelial cells (TEC) ; thymic microenvironment ; thymus regeneration ; T cells ; intrathymic regulators ; thymic stem cells
Subjects:	NATURAL SCIENCES NATURAL SCIENCES > Biology NATURAL SCIENCES > Biology > Biochemistry and Molecular Biology BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE > Basic Medical Sciences BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE > Basic Medical Sciences > Immunology BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE > Clinical Medical Sciences BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE > Clinical Medical Sciences > Clinical Immunology
Divisions:	Division of Molecular Biology
Projects:	Project title Project leader Project code Project type Obnova timusa za preciznu medicinu u liječenju tumora i leukemija-THYMINNOVA Mariastefania Antica IP-2020-02-2431 HRZZ Znanstveni centar izvrsnosti za reproduktivnu i regenerativnu medicinu – istraživanja novih platormi i potencijala-CERRM Slobodan Vukičević; Davor Ježek KK.01.1.1.01.0008 EK
Depositing User:	Mariastefania Antica
Date Deposited:	11 Jul 2022 08:51
URI:	http://fulir.irb.hr/id/eprint/7460
DOI:	10.3389/fimmu.2022.926516

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