Review
Cell Research (2007) 17: 50–55. doi: 10.1038/sj.cr.7310114; published online 5 December 2006
Thymic epithelial progenitor cells and thymus regeneration: an update
Lianjun Zhang1,2, Liguang Sun1,3 and Yong Zhao1
- 1Transplantation Biology Research Division, State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, China
- 2Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, China
- 3School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
Correspondence: Yong Zhao, Tel: +86-10-62538391; Fax: +86-10-62659958; E-mail: zhaoy@ioz.ac.cn
Abstract
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.
Keywords:
thymic epithelial progenitor cells, thymus organogenesis, thymus regeneration
MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS
These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.
RESEARCH
Identification of novel genes and transcription factors involved in spleen, thymus and immunological development and functionGenes and Immunity Original Article
Production and characterization of mouse thymic epithelial cell clonesImmunology and Cell Biology Research Article
Prethymic T-cell development defined by the expression of paired immunoglobulin-like receptorsThe EMBO Journal Article (07 Dec 2005)
