Aire及其在胸腺上皮细胞发育和免疫耐受中的作用

胸腺是支持T细胞发育和选择的主要淋巴器官,胸腺上皮细胞(TECs)为T细胞的发育和成熟提供必要的微环境.自身免疫调节蛋白(Aire)在TECs发育过程中发挥着至关重要的作用,通过诱导胸腺髓质内数百种组织特异性抗原的表达来协调胸腺细胞的阴性选择.现主要综述Aire的结构和功能及其表达调节,以及近年来发现的Aire在胸腺上...     

Thymic epithelial progenitor cells and thymus regeneration： an update

The thymus provides the essential microenvironment for T-cell development and maturation. Thymic epithelial cells （TECs）, which are composed of thymic cortical epithelial cells （cTECs） and thymic medullary epithelial cells （mTECs）, have been well documented to be critical for these tightly regulated processes. It has long been controversial whether the common progenitor cells of TECs could give rise to both cTECs and mTECs. Great progress has been made to characterize the common TEC progenitor cells in recent years. We herein discuss the sole origin paradigm with regard to TEC differentiation as well as these progenitor cells in thymus regeneration.     

小鼠胸腺髓质上皮细胞系体内诱导胸腺细胞功能成熟

来源于BALB/c小鼠 (H-2^d)胸腺的髓质上皮细胞系MTEC1细胞表达H-2^d和I -A^d 分子 .为研究上皮细胞诱导胸腺细胞阳性选择及功能分化的能力 ,首先用γ 线照射C5 7BL/6J小鼠(H-2^d) ,再经静脉注射 (H-2^b×d)F1代骨髓细胞 ,制备 H-2^b×d→H-2^b)嵌合体 ,然后将MTEC1细胞注射到嵌合体胸腺内 .注射后 2个月 ,经HE染色显示 ,MTEC1细胞在嵌合体小鼠胸腺被膜下皮质区成簇存在 ,体外免疫学试验发现 ,嵌合体小鼠脾细胞含有抗原特异性H-2^d识别限制的杀伤T细胞 (CTL) ,IL -2产生T细胞及增殖应答T细胞 .在MLR试验中 ,嵌合体小鼠脾细胞显示对H-2^d 同种异型抗原的明显耐受 .从而证明MTEC1髓质上皮细胞能在胸腺微环境内诱导H-2^d识别限制的对特异抗原应答的T细胞发育及功能成熟 .由此提出在胸腺髓质区进行“2次胸腺选择”的假说 ,并讨论了其意义 .     

胸腺上皮细胞特异性敲除GSK-3β基因小鼠模型的鉴定及免疫学特征观察

目的 构建并鉴定胸腺上皮细胞(thymic epithelial cells, TECs)特异性敲除GSK-3β基因小鼠模型,评价其免疫学特征。方法 采用小鼠胚胎干细胞(ES细胞,embryonic stem cells)打靶基因敲除技术,得到F0代的GSK-3β^flox/flox(GSK-3β^f/f)小鼠;再采用Cre-LoxP系统进行小鼠的繁殖;PCR鉴定,筛选出基因型为GSK-3β^f/fFoxN1-Cre^+/-(GSK-3β^-/-)小鼠,即为在TECs特异性敲除GSK-3β基因的小鼠。观察基因敲除鼠的一般生物学特征、繁殖能力和子代存活率。应用HE染色、流式细胞术及免疫荧光技术,比较基因敲除鼠和野生型小鼠免疫器官结构、胸腺、脾及外周血中免疫细胞比例及增殖能力差异。结果 成功构建TECs特异性敲除GSK-3β基因小鼠模型。与野生型(wild type, WT)小鼠相比,GSK-3β^-/-小鼠一般生物学特征无明显差异,子代存活率> 90%;衰老进程中...     

自噬作用引起自身耐受

一个对自身组织耐受且功能完整的T细胞库的建立离不开对胸腺上皮细胞（thymic epithelial cells,TECs）提呈的主要组织相容性复合体Ⅱ（major histocompatibility complex class II,MHC Ⅱ）-自身抗原肽表位复合物的识别过程。已知在骨髓造血系统的抗原提呈细胞产生MHCⅡ-自身抗原肽复合物主要是通过细胞的内吞作用。TECs是非造血细胞中唯一能够持续表达MHCⅡ的细胞,属于专职的抗原提呈细胞（antigenpresenting cell,APC）。     

胸腺树突状细胞对胸腺细胞凋亡的促进作用

小鼠胸腺细胞在体外培养一定时间后自发出现凋亡,在与小鼠胸腺树突状细胞(MTSC4)共育后,其凋亡过程可被明显加速;与此相反,小鼠胸腺上皮细胞(MTECI)有抑制凋亡的作用.与MTSC4共育后的胸腺细胞中不仅CD4⁺CD8⁺双阳性细胞明显减小,而且CD4⁺CD8⁺单阳性细胞也减少.提示胸腺基质细胞可通过其对细胞凋亡的促进作用参与胸腺内的阴性选择,并提示阴性选择可能在胸腺髓质区仍在进行.     

甲状腺激素对胸腺上皮细胞CK19蛋白表达的影响

目的探讨甲状腺激素对胸腺的发育的影响及可能的机制。方法将12只怀孕4d的大鼠随机分成A组和B组,A组正常饮水,B组孕鼠供以含有0．02％甲巯咪唑的饮水制备仔鼠甲状腺功能低下动物模型,将A组的仔鼠随机分成对照组和甲状腺素钠组,将B组的仔鼠随机分成甲低组和甲低＋甲状腺素钠组。甲状腺素钠组和甲低＋甲状腺素钠组于出生后15d给予腹腔注射甲状腺素钠（0．5mg／kg体重,1次／d）,连续给药25d。所有动物于出生后40d麻醉处死,测定仔鼠的胸腺重量及脏器指数;采用放射免疫技术测定仔鼠血清中三碘甲状腺原氨酸（triiodothyronine,T3）、四碘甲状腺原氨酸（tetraiodothyronine,T4）、促甲状腺激素（thyroid—stimulating hormone,TSH）水平,免疫组织化学技术检测胸腺上皮细胞细胞角蛋白19（cytokeratin 19,CK19）蛋白的表达量。结果与对照组比较,甲状腺素钠组仔鼠血清中T3、T4显著升高,TSH减少,胸腺重量增大;甲低组仔鼠血清中T3、T4明显降低,TSH显著增高,胸腺重量降低,胸腺上皮细胞CK19蛋白表达减少。与甲低组比较,甲低＋甲状腺素钠组仔鼠血清中T3、T4升高,TSH降低,胸腺指数增大,胸腺上皮细胞CK19蛋白的表达明显增多。结论甲状腺激素可以通过影响胸腺上皮细胞CK19的表达量,使胸腺发育或退化。     

斜带石斑鱼胸腺的显微和超微结构

本文通过解剖及组织切片技术、光学显微镜、透射和扫描电子显微镜技术,对斜带石斑鱼(Epinephelus coioides)胸腺器官组织进行了观察研究。结果表明:斜带石斑鱼胸腺实质主要由胸腺细胞(淋巴细胞)和网状上皮细胞构成。鱼体从Ⅰ龄之后,其胸腺发生明显的变化,与幼鱼有所不同,主要是胸腺可明显区分为三个区域:胸腺外皮质区、内皮质区和髓质区。外皮质区主要由网状上皮细胞、黏液细胞、成纤维细胞和少量淋巴细胞构成,细胞排列疏松;内皮质区主要由密集的淋巴细胞和网状上皮细胞组成,以含有大量的淋巴细胞为特征;髓质区主要由淋巴细胞和较多的网状上皮细胞构成,总体特征是淋巴细胞数量比内皮质区的少,且细胞排列较疏松。外皮质区、内皮质区相当于高等脊椎动物的皮质;髓质区相当于高等脊椎动物的髓质。髓质区之下有结缔组织,在Ⅱ龄以上的成体出现胸腺小体(Hassall's corpuscles)或类似胸腺小体的结构,而且随着年龄的增加,胸腺外皮质区增厚,结缔组织增加,还表现在内皮质区和髓质区组织逐渐萎缩变薄,胸腺的细胞组成类型和淋巴细胞数量上有所变化等等。这些现象在Ⅱ龄鱼开始出现,即胸腺呈现退化迹象,在Ⅲ龄以上鱼体呈现明显的退化和萎缩。胸腺表面扫描电镜结果表明:其上皮细胞表面具有微嵴以及由微嵴组成的指纹状结构,有一些微孔分布。透射和断面扫描电镜的结果进一步表明:胸腺组织内的细胞成分复杂,除了淋巴细胞和网状上皮细胞外,还具有巨噬细胞、肥大细胞、肌样细胞、浆细胞、指状镶嵌细胞和纤维细胞等。     

草鱼胸腺组织学的研究

草鱼胸腺位于鳃腔背上角,紧贴在鳃腔膜之下,突起部分伸入到下颞凹,整个胸腺形态形似菱角。其组织结构可分为外区、中区和内区。中区和内区主要由淋巴细胞和网状上皮细胞构成,在组织结构上分别类似于高等脊椎动物胸腺的皮质和髓质区。胸腺淋巴细胞可分大、中、小三型,小淋巴细胞约占78％,中淋巴细胞约占15％,大淋巴细胞约占4％。在Ⅰ龄草鱼,每毫克胸腺约有3.6×106个胸腺淋巴细胞,Ⅱ龄草鱼约为2×106。Ⅰ至Ⅱ龄草鱼胸腺重量明显地随鱼龄增加,Ⅱ龄以上草鱼胸腺重量变化无规律,成鱼胸腺表现出明显的退化。草鱼胸腺除年龄性退化外,还存在环境因素引起的非年龄性退化。       

人胎胸腺基质细胞的免疫组织化学观察

用免疫组织化学法观察了六种单克隆抗体在１４例２１～３８周胎儿胸腺基质细胞中的反应。结果表明,三种ＭＨＣ－Ⅱ类抗原的表达有差异。ＨＬＡ－ＤＲ＋和ＨＬＡ－ＤＱ＋细胞多,主要分布于髓质,皮质中较少。ＨＬＡ－ＤＰ＋细胞少,几乎只见于髓质。抗表皮角蛋白抗体阳性的上皮细胞见于部分髓质与少数皮质上皮细胞,被膜及小叶间隔下上皮细胞和胸腺小体。Ｓ－１００＋的交错突细胞主要分布于髓质,皮质中较少。ＭＯ＋２的巨噬细胞见于整个胸腺实质,皮质深层最多。     

Wound repair and proliferation of bronchial epithelial cells regulated by CTNNAL1

Adhesion molecules play vital roles in airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) or airway inflammation. Our previous study indicated that adhesion molecule catenin alpha-like 1 (CTNNAL1) is relevant closely to asthma susceptibility, but its biological function or significance is still unclear. In the present study, we observed the temporal and spatial distribution of CTNNAL1 expression in mouse lung tissue with the OVA-sensitized asthma model and found that the level of CTNNAL1 mRNA showed a prominent negative correlation with pulmonary resistance (R(L)). To study the function of CTNNAL1 in airway, effects of CTNNAL1 on proliferation and wound repair activity of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC) was investigated with antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) technique. The results showed that: (1) CTNNAL1 ASO could decelerate the repairing velocity and proliferation of HBEC; (2) CTNNAL1 expression was increased on the edge cells of mechanic wounded area in culture; (3) extracellular matrix component fibronectin (Fn) obviously promoted wound repair activity and proliferation of HBEC, which could be blocked by CTNNAL1 ASO; (4) Western blot showed that Fn could promote FAK phosphorylation, which also be inhibited by CTNNAL1 ASO. In conclusion, the level of CTNNAL1 mRNA expression is highly correlated to airway resistance; CTNNAL1 may contribute to the wound repair and proliferation of HBEC. Furthermore, it may serve to Fn mediated cell-extracellular adhesion and its signal transduction.     

Innate lymphoid cells are double-edged swords under the mucosal barrier

As the direct contacting site for pathogens and allergens, the mucosal barrier plays a vital role in the lungs and intestines. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are particularly resident in the mucosal barrier and participate in several pathophysiological processes, such as maintaining or disrupting barrier integrity, preventing various pathogenic invasions. In the pulmonary mucosae, ILCs sometimes aggravate inflammation and mucus hypersecretion but restore airway epithelial integrity and maintain lung tissue homeostasis at other times. In the intestinal mucosae, ILCs can increase epithelial permeability, leading to severe intestinal inflammation on the one hand, and assist mucosal barrier in resisting bacterial invasion on the other hand. In this review, we will illustrate the positive and negative roles of ILCs in mucosal barrier immunity.     

Establishment of a mouse primary co-culture of endometrial epithelial cells and peripheral blood leukocytes: effect on epithelial barrier function and leukocyte survival

This study aimed to establish an in vitro co-culture model that would allow us to study the interaction between endometrial epithelial cells and immune cells. Flow cytometry analysis and cell surface marker staining were used to identify suitable immune leukocytes from a range of sources, such as intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL), thymocytes, splenocytes and peripheral blood leukocytes. Optimizing culture conditions such as cell viabilities, cell seeding ratios and densities and co-culture methods were examined and determined. Results showed that co-culture of mouse endometrial epithelial cells (EEC) with peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) at seeding densities of 3.0 x 10(6) and 1.0 x 10(6)cells/ml, respectively, appeared to affect both the survival of leukocytes and epithelial barrier function. Cell viability counts of immune cells showed 95% and 72.5% cell survival after isolation and after 4 days in co-culture with EEC, respectively, but only 11% cell survival when cultured alone for 4 days without EEC. Short-circuit current (I(sc)) results also showed that EEC and PBL co-culture exhibited a four-fold increase in the transepithelial resistance (TER) as compared to EEC culture alone, indicating enhanced protective barrier function. Taken together, the currently established in vitro co-culture model of endometrial epithelial cells and immune cells may provide a means to investigate local cellular immune responses upon uterine infections.     

RON-expressing MCF-10A breast epithelial cells exhibit alterations of hyaluronan expression, promoting RON-mediated early adhesion events

The receptor tyrosine kinase known as RON appears to play a role in the progression of human carcinomas, and is associated with a poor patient prognosis. Our current study demonstrates that RON expression in MCF-10A breast epithelial cells lead to an alteration of cell-surface hyaluronan compared to the parental cells. We found that hyaluronan was important for initial cell attachment to poly-d-lysine-coated coverslips, but did not contribute to the process of cell spreading. Previous data implied that the Src kinase was important for spreading but not the initial attachment of 10A cells, and here we demonstrate Src activation was also not necessary for hyaluronan production in these cells.     

Long Term Culture of Human Kidney Proximal Tubule Epithelial Cells Maintains Lineage Functions and Serves as an Ex vivo Model for Coronavirus Associated Kidney Injury

The mechanism of how SARS-CoV-2 causes severe multi-organ failure is largely unknown. Acute kidney injury(AKI) is one of the frequent organ damage in severe COVID-19 patients. Previous studies have shown that human renal tubule cells could be the potential host cells targeted by SARS-CoV-2. Traditional cancer cell lines or immortalized cell lines are genetically and phenotypically different from host cells. Animal models are widely used, but often fail to reflect a physiological and pathogenic status because of species tropisms. There is an unmet need for normal human epithelial cells for disease modeling. In this study, we successfully established long term cultures of normal human kidney proximal tubule epithelial cells(KPTECs) in 2 D and 3 D culture systems using conditional reprogramming(CR) and organoids techniques.These cells had the ability to differentiate and repair DNA damage, and showed no transforming property. Importantly, the CR KPTECs maintained lineage function with expression of specific transporters(SLC34 A3 and cubilin). They also expressed angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2), a receptor for SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. In contrast, cancer cell line did not express endogenous SLC34 A3, cubilin and ACE2. Very interestingly, ACE2 expression was around twofold higher in 3 D organoids culture compared to that in 2 D CR culture condition. Pseudovirion assays demonstrated that SARS-CoV spike(S) protein was able to enter CR cells with luciferase reporter. This integrated 2 D CR and 3 D organoid cultures provide a physiological ex vivo model to study kidney functions, innate immune response of kidney cells to viruses, and a novel platform for drug discovery and safety evaluation.     

Roles of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in epithelial differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been demonstrated to be able to differentiate into epithelial lineage, but the precise mechanisms controlling this process are unclear. Our aim is to explore the roles of Wnt/β-catenin in the epithelial differentiation of MSCs. Using indirect co-culture of rat MSCs with rat airway epithelial cells (RTE), MSCs expressed several airway epithelial markers (cytokeratin 18, tight junction protein occudin, cystic fibrosis transmembrance regulator). The protein levels of some important members in Wnt/β-catenin signaling were determined, suggested down-regulation of Wnt/β-catenin with epithelial differentiation of MSCs. Furthermore, Wnt3α can inhibit the epithelial differentiation of MSCs. A loss of β-catenin induced by Dickkopf-1 can enhance MSCs differentiation into epithelial cells. Lithium chloride transiently activated β-catenin expression and subsequently decreased β-catenin level and at last inhibited MSCs to differentiate into airway epithelium. Taken together, our study indicated that RTE cells can trigger epithelial differentiation of MSCs. Blocking Wnt/β-catenin signaling may promote MSCs to differentiate towards airway epithelial cells.     

Early Pattern of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in Gastric Epithelial Cells by “Cell-in-cell”

Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)is an important human dsDNA virus,which has been shown to be associated with several malignancies including about 10%of gastric carcinomas.How EBV enters an epithelial cell has been an interesting project for investigation."Cell-in-cell"infection was recently reported an efficient way for the entry of EBV into nasopharynx epithelial cells.The present approach was to explore the feasibility of this mode for EBV infection in gastric epithelial cells and the dynamic change of host inflammatory reaction.The EBV-positive lymphoblastic cells of Akata containing a GFP tag in the viral genome were co-cultured with the gastric epithelial cells(GES-1).The infection situation was observed under fluorescence and electron microscopies.Real-time quantitative PCR and Western-blotting assay were employed to detect the expression of a few specific cytokines and inflammatory factors.The results demonstrated that EBV could get into gastric epithelial cells by"cell-in-cell"infection but not fully successful due to the host fighting.IL-1β,IL-6 and IL-8 played prominent roles in the cellular response to the infection.The activation of NF-κB and HSP70 was also required for the host antiviral response.The results imply that the gastric epithelial cells could powerfully resist the virus invader via cell-in-cell at the early stage through inflammatory and innate immune responses.