Thymic Epithelial Cells

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112 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Intrathymic T cell development is a complex process that depends upon continuous guidance from thymus stromal cell microenvironments. The thymic epithelium within the thymic stroma comprises highly specialized cells with a high degree of anatomic, phenotypic, and functional heterogeneity. These properties are collectively required to bias thymocyte development toward production of self-tolerant and functionally competent T cells. The importance of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) is evidenced by clear links between their dysfunction and multiple diseases where autoimmunity and immunodeficiency are major components. Consequently, TECs are an attractive target for cell therapies to restore effective immune system function. The pathways and molecular regulators that control TEC development are becoming clearer, as are their influences on particular stages of T cell development. Here, we review both historical and the most recent advances in our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling TEC development, function, dysfunction, and regeneration.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)85-118
JournalAnnual review of immunology
Volume35
Early online date10 Feb 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2017

Keywords

  • Aire
  • Foxp3
  • T cell
  • thymic epithelium
  • thymus
  • tolerance

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