A model for preservation of thymocyte-depleted thymus.
Braz J Med Biol Res
; 56: e12647, 2023.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37585915
ABSTRACT
DiGeorge syndrome is a disorder caused by a microdeletion on the long arm of chromosome 22. Approximately 1% of patients diagnosed with DiGeorge syndrome may have an absence of a functional thymus, which characterizes the complete form of the syndrome. These patients require urgent treatment to reconstitute T cell immunity. Thymus transplantation is a promising investigational procedure for reconstitution of thymic function in infants with congenital athymia. Here, we demonstrate a possible optimization of the preparation of thymus slices for transplantation through prior depletion of thymocytes and leukocyte cell lineages followed by cryopreservation with cryoprotective media (5% dextran FP 40, 5% Me2SO, and 5% FBS) while preserving tissue architecture. Thymus fragments were stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C for 30 days or one year. The tissue architecture of the fragments was preserved, including the distinction between medullary thymic epithelial cells (TECs), cortical TECs, and Hassall bodies. Moreover, depleted thymus fragments cryopreserved for one year were recolonized by intrathymic injections of 3×106 thymocytes per mL, demonstrating the capability of these fragments to support T cell development. Thus, this technique opens up the possibility of freezing and storing large volumes of thymus tissue for immediate transplantation into patients with DiGeorge syndrome or atypical (Omenn-like) phenotype.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
DiGeorge Syndrome
/
Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Braz J Med Biol Res
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Publication country:
BR
/
BRASIL
/
BRASILE
/
BRAZIL
/
BRESIL