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Preclinical research has shown how a cell surface molecule, Lymphotoxin β receptor, controls the entry of T cells into the thymus.
Researchers believe this might represent a pathway that could be targeted to reboot the immune system after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).
Graham Anderson, PhD, of the University of Birmingham in the UK, and his colleagues conducted this research and reported their findings in the Journal of Immunology.
“The thymus is often something of an ignored organ, but it plays a crucial role in maintaining an effective immune system,” Dr Anderson said.
“Post-transplantation, T-cell progenitors derived from the bone marrow transplant can struggle to enter the thymus, as if the doorway to the thymus is closed. Identifying molecular regulators that can ‘prop open’ the door and allow these cells to enter and mature could well be a means to help reboot the immune system.”
Conducting experiments in mice, Dr Anderson and his colleagues found that Lymphotoxin β receptor was required to allow the entry of T-cell progenitors to the thymus both in a healthy state and during immune recovery after HSCT.
When the researchers used an antibody to stimulate Lymphotoxin β receptor after HSCT, they observed enhanced thymus recovery and an increase in the number of transplant-derived T cells, which correlated with increased adhesion molecule expression by thymic stroma.
The team said this study has revealed a novel link between Lymphotoxin β receptor and thymic stromal cells in thymus colonization and highlights its potential as an immunotherapeutic target to boost T-cell reconstitution after HSCT.
“This is just one piece of the puzzle,” said study author Beth Lucas, PhD, also of the University of Birmingham.
“It may be that there are adverse effects to opening the door to the thymus, but identifying a pathway that regulates this process is a significant step.”
For their next step, the researchers plan to study in vitro samples of the human thymus to examine the role Lymphotoxin β receptor might play in regulating thymus function in humans. 
Preclinical research has shown how a cell surface molecule, Lymphotoxin β receptor, controls the entry of T cells into the thymus.
Researchers believe this might represent a pathway that could be targeted to reboot the immune system after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).
Graham Anderson, PhD, of the University of Birmingham in the UK, and his colleagues conducted this research and reported their findings in the Journal of Immunology.
“The thymus is often something of an ignored organ, but it plays a crucial role in maintaining an effective immune system,” Dr Anderson said.
“Post-transplantation, T-cell progenitors derived from the bone marrow transplant can struggle to enter the thymus, as if the doorway to the thymus is closed. Identifying molecular regulators that can ‘prop open’ the door and allow these cells to enter and mature could well be a means to help reboot the immune system.”
Conducting experiments in mice, Dr Anderson and his colleagues found that Lymphotoxin β receptor was required to allow the entry of T-cell progenitors to the thymus both in a healthy state and during immune recovery after HSCT.
When the researchers used an antibody to stimulate Lymphotoxin β receptor after HSCT, they observed enhanced thymus recovery and an increase in the number of transplant-derived T cells, which correlated with increased adhesion molecule expression by thymic stroma.
The team said this study has revealed a novel link between Lymphotoxin β receptor and thymic stromal cells in thymus colonization and highlights its potential as an immunotherapeutic target to boost T-cell reconstitution after HSCT.
“This is just one piece of the puzzle,” said study author Beth Lucas, PhD, also of the University of Birmingham.
“It may be that there are adverse effects to opening the door to the thymus, but identifying a pathway that regulates this process is a significant step.”
For their next step, the researchers plan to study in vitro samples of the human thymus to examine the role Lymphotoxin β receptor might play in regulating thymus function in humans.
Preclinical research has shown how a cell surface molecule, Lymphotoxin β receptor, controls the entry of T cells into the thymus.
Researchers believe this might represent a pathway that could be targeted to reboot the immune system after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).
Graham Anderson, PhD, of the University of Birmingham in the UK, and his colleagues conducted this research and reported their findings in the Journal of Immunology.
“The thymus is often something of an ignored organ, but it plays a crucial role in maintaining an effective immune system,” Dr Anderson said.
“Post-transplantation, T-cell progenitors derived from the bone marrow transplant can struggle to enter the thymus, as if the doorway to the thymus is closed. Identifying molecular regulators that can ‘prop open’ the door and allow these cells to enter and mature could well be a means to help reboot the immune system.”
Conducting experiments in mice, Dr Anderson and his colleagues found that Lymphotoxin β receptor was required to allow the entry of T-cell progenitors to the thymus both in a healthy state and during immune recovery after HSCT.
When the researchers used an antibody to stimulate Lymphotoxin β receptor after HSCT, they observed enhanced thymus recovery and an increase in the number of transplant-derived T cells, which correlated with increased adhesion molecule expression by thymic stroma.
The team said this study has revealed a novel link between Lymphotoxin β receptor and thymic stromal cells in thymus colonization and highlights its potential as an immunotherapeutic target to boost T-cell reconstitution after HSCT.
“This is just one piece of the puzzle,” said study author Beth Lucas, PhD, also of the University of Birmingham.
“It may be that there are adverse effects to opening the door to the thymus, but identifying a pathway that regulates this process is a significant step.”
For their next step, the researchers plan to study in vitro samples of the human thymus to examine the role Lymphotoxin β receptor might play in regulating thymus function in humans.