TY - JOUR
T1 - Thymic cysts originate from Foxn1 positive thymic medullary epithelium
AU - Vroegindeweij, Eric
AU - Crobach, Stijn
AU - Itoi, M
AU - Satoh, R
AU - Zuklys, S
AU - Happe, C
AU - Germeraad, WTV
AU - Cornelissen, Jan
AU - Cupedo, Tom
AU - Hollander, GA
AU - Kawamoto, H
AU - van Ewijk, W
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - Thymic epithelial cells (TECs), derived from polarized two-dimensional (2D) oriented endodermal cells, are distinguished from other epithelial cells by their unique three-dimensional (3D) phenotype However, sonic polarized epithelial cells remain present in the normal thymus, forming thymic cysts at the cortico-medullary junction Here, we analyse the dynamics, origin and phenotype of such thymic cysts. In time-course experiments, we show a reverse correlation between thymic cyst expansion and the presence of thymocytes, suggesting a default pathway for the development of TECs in the absence of thymocytes By transplanting isolated TEC Populations into El 5 fetal thymic lobes, we provide evidence that medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), rather than cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTECs) contribute to the formation of thymic cysts Finally, thymi of reporter mice reveal that the cysts originate from epithelia committed to a thymic fate, as indicated by the expression of Foxn1. The 2D-phenotype of cyst-lining TECs is not caused by a downregulation of Foxn1 expression. since a significant proportion of these cells in the embryonic and adult thymus continues to express Foxn1 at the protein level. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved
AB - Thymic epithelial cells (TECs), derived from polarized two-dimensional (2D) oriented endodermal cells, are distinguished from other epithelial cells by their unique three-dimensional (3D) phenotype However, sonic polarized epithelial cells remain present in the normal thymus, forming thymic cysts at the cortico-medullary junction Here, we analyse the dynamics, origin and phenotype of such thymic cysts. In time-course experiments, we show a reverse correlation between thymic cyst expansion and the presence of thymocytes, suggesting a default pathway for the development of TECs in the absence of thymocytes By transplanting isolated TEC Populations into El 5 fetal thymic lobes, we provide evidence that medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), rather than cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTECs) contribute to the formation of thymic cysts Finally, thymi of reporter mice reveal that the cysts originate from epithelia committed to a thymic fate, as indicated by the expression of Foxn1. The 2D-phenotype of cyst-lining TECs is not caused by a downregulation of Foxn1 expression. since a significant proportion of these cells in the embryonic and adult thymus continues to express Foxn1 at the protein level. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved
U2 - 10.1016/j.molimm.2009.10.034
DO - 10.1016/j.molimm.2009.10.034
M3 - Article
C2 - 19945167
SN - 0161-5890
VL - 47
SP - 1106
EP - 1113
JO - Molecular Immunology
JF - Molecular Immunology
IS - 5
ER -