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- Title
Aire and Foxp3 expression in a particular microenvironment for T cell differentiation.
- Authors
Hansenne, Isabelle; Louis, Céline; Martens, Henri; Dorban, Gauthier; Charlet-Renard, Chantal; Peterson, Pärt; Geenen, Vincent
- Abstract
The thymus is the primary lymphoid organ responsible for T cell development and the establishment of central self-tolerance. Among thymic epithelial cells, thymic nurse cells (TNC) interact closely with immature thymocytes and constitute a special microenvironment for T cell differentiation and selection. In addition, TNC express neuroendocrine self-antigens such as oxytocin and insulin-like growth factor-2, whose intrathymic transcription is regulated by the autoimmune regulator gene/protein (Aire). Both effector and natural regulatory T cell (nTreg) lineages develop in the thymus, but the mechanisms leading to nTreg selection in the thymus are still unclear. Foxp3 is the most specific nTreg marker that is required for nTreg functional activity, but not for engagement into the Treg lineage. Aire has been suggested to be a potential factor implicated in this role. The objective of this study was to characterize Aire and Foxp3 expression in TNC/thymocyte complexes.
- Publication
Neuroimmunomodulation, 2009, Vol 16, Issue 1, p35
- ISSN
1423-0216
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1159/000179665