Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells are one of the main components of the thymic microenvironment required for T-cell development. In this work, we describe an efficient method free of enzymatic and Facs-sorted methods to culture human medullary thymic epithelial cells without affecting the cell phenotypic, physiologic and functional features. Human medulla thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) are obtained by culturing thymic biopsies explants. After 7 days of primo-culture, mTECs keep their ability to express key molecules involved in immune tolerance processes such as autoimmune regulator, tissue-specific antigens, chemokines, and cytokines. In addition, the cells sensor their cultured environment and consequently adjust their gene expression network. Therefore, we describe and provide a human mTEC model that may be used to test the effect of various molecules on thymic epithelial cell homeostasis and physiology. This method should allow the investigations of the specificities and the knowledge of human mTECs in normal or pathological conditions and therefore discontinue the extrapolations done on the murine models.
Highlights
The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ where T cell development and maturation take place
We investigated the protein expression of various specific medulla thymic epithelial cell (mTEC) markers, such as Claudin 4, Claudin 3, tight junction com ponents known to be expressed by mTEC lineage-committed cells and Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 (UEA) lectin [27, 48, 49], a marker of highly proliferative mTECs expressing autoimmune regulator (Aire) protein [45]
We have previously demonstrated that estrogen may modulate in mTECs, expression of Aire and tissue-specific antigen (TSA) as well as cytokines and chemokines, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and CXCL13 [50, 55]
Summary
The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ where T cell development and maturation take place. The thymic stromal cells correspond to heterogeneous cell types including mainly thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages, myoid cells, and fibroblasts They create a tridimensional network to establish close contact with T-cells to support and to direct T-cell differentiation, maturation, and selection [1,2,3]. MTECs complete and finalize T cell maturation processes through the negative selection of T cells as well as the generation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and natural killer T cells (NKT) [9,10,11] To ensure their role in immune tolerance, mTECs express a wide range of proteins that correspond to self-antigens expressed by peripheral tissues and organs. CBX4 is a crucial and nonredundant protein that controls the generation and maintenance of the thymic epithelium [19]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
