Irf4 Expression in Thymic Epithelium Is Critical for Thymic Regulatory T Cell Homeostasis.
J Immunol
; 198(5): 1952-1960, 2017 03 01.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28108558
ABSTRACT
The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ required for the induction and maintenance of central tolerance. The main function of the thymus is to generate an immunocompetent set of T cells not reactive to self. During negative selection in the thymus, thymocytes with autoreactive potential are either deleted or differentiated into regulatory T cells (Tregs). The molecular basis by which the thymus allows high-efficiency Treg induction remains largely unknown. In this study, we report that IFN regulatory factor 4 (Irf4) is highly expressed in murine thymic epithelium and is required to prime thymic epithelial cells (TEC) for effective Treg induction. TEC-specific Irf4 deficiency resulted in a significantly reduced thymic Treg compartment and increased susceptibility to mononuclear infiltrations in the salivary gland. We propose that Irf4 is imperative for thymic Treg homeostasis because it regulates TEC-specific expression of several chemokines and costimulatory molecules indicated in thymocyte development and Treg induction.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Timo
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Linfócitos T Reguladores
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Células Epiteliais
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Fatores Reguladores de Interferon
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Homeostase
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2017
Tipo de documento:
Article