Thymic exosomes promote the final maturation of thymocytes

• DOI: 10.1038/srep36479
• Publication Date: 2016-11-08T10:19:33Z
• Authors: Vanja Lundberg; Martin Berglund; Gabriel Skogberg; Susanne Lindgren; Christina Lundqvist; Judith Gudmundsdo...; Karolina Thörn; Esbjörn Telemo; Olov Ekwall
• Keywords: Thymocyte; Exosome; Central tolerance; Medulla

Abstract Extensive knowledge has been gained the last years concerning mechanisms underlying selection of single positive thymocytes in thymic medulla. Less is known regarding other important processes medulla such as regulation late stage thymocyte maturation. We have previously reported that exosomes are abundant thymus with a phenotype indicates an epithelial cell origin and immunoregulatory properties. In this study we use vitro system to investigate effects on maturation well nTreg formation. show promote CD4 + CD25 − cells into mature S1P 1 Qa2 CCR7 phenotypes. Furthermore, reduce formation FoxP3 these exosome independent dendritic co-stimulation but require intact exosomal RNA content surface proteins. An efficient direct uptake by both DC’s also demonstrated. conclusion, demonstrates may represent new route communication within thymus.