Human Stem Cell-derived Thymic Epithelial Cells Enhance Human T-cell Development in a Xenogeneic Thymus

Overview

Journal J Allergy Clin Immunol

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2021 Oct 25

PMID 34695489

Citations 12

Authors

Rafael Gras-Pena

Nichole M Danzl

Mohsen Khosravi-Maharlooei

Sean R Campbell

Amanda E Ruiz

Christopher A Parks

William Meng Suen Savage

Markus A Holzl

Debanjana Chatterjee

Megan Sykes

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Generation of thymic tissue from pluripotent stem cells would provide therapies for acquired and congenital thymic insufficiency states.

Objectives: This study aimed to generate human thymic epithelial progenitors from human embryonic stem cells (hES-TEPs) and to assess their thymopoietic function in vivo.

Methods: This study differentiated hES-TEPs by mimicking developmental queues with FGF8, retinoic acid, SHH, Noggin, and BMP4. Their function was assessed in reaggregate cellular grafts under the kidney capsule and in hybrid thymi by incorporating them into swine thymus (SwTHY) grafts implanted under the kidney capsules of immunodeficient mice that received human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (hHSPCs) intravenously.

Results: Cultured hES-TEPs expressed FOXN1 and formed colonies expressing EPCAM and both cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cell markers. In thymectomized immunodeficient mice receiving hHSPCs, hES-TEPs mixed with human thymic mesenchymal cells supported human T-cell development. Hypothesizing that support from non-epithelial thymic cells might allow long-term function of hES-TEPs, the investigators injected them into SwTHY tissue, which supports human thymopoiesis in NOD severe combined immunodeficiency IL2Rγ mice receiving hHSPCs. hES-TEPs integrated into SwTHY grafts, enhanced human thymopoiesis, and increased peripheral CD4 naive T-cell reconstitution.

Conclusions: This study has developed and demonstrated in vivo thymopoietic function of hES-TEPs generated with a novel differentiation protocol. The SwTHY hybrid thymus model demonstrates beneficial effects on human thymocyte development of hES-TEPs maturing in the context of a supportive thymic structure.

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