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Protein & Cell

ISSN 1674-800X

ISSN 1674-8018(Online)

CN 11-5886/Q

Postal Subscription Code 80-984

2018 Impact Factor: 7.575

Prot Cell    2013, Vol. 4 Issue (5) : 342-355    https://doi.org/10.1007/s13238-013-3014-0      PMID: 23589020
REVIEW
Thymic epithelial cell development and differentiation: cellular and molecular regulation
Lina Sun, Haiying Luo, Hongran Li, Yong Zhao()
State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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Abstract

Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are one of the most important components in thymic microenvironment supporting thymocyte development and maturation. TECs, composed of cortical and medullary TECs, are derived from a common bipotent progenitor, mediating thymocyte positive and negative selections. Multiple levels of signals including intracellular signaling networks and cell-cell interaction are required for TEC development and differentiation. Transcription factors Foxn1 and autoimmune regulator (Aire) are powerful regulators promoting TEC development and differentiation. Crosstalks with thymocytes and other stromal cells for extrinsic signals like RANKL, CD40L, lymphotoxin, fi broblast growth factor (FGF) and Wnt are also defi nitely required to establish a functional thymic microenvironment. In this review, we will summarize our current understanding about TEC development and differentiation, and its underlying multiple signal pathways.

Keywords thymus      thymic epithelial cells      Aire      Foxn1      TNFR      NF-κB      FGFs     
Corresponding Author(s): Zhao Yong,Email:zhaoy@ioz.ac.cn   
Issue Date: 01 May 2013
 Cite this article:   
Lina Sun,Haiying Luo,Hongran Li, et al. Thymic epithelial cell development and differentiation: cellular and molecular regulation[J]. Prot Cell, 2013, 4(5): 342-355.
 URL:  
https://academic.hep.com.cn/pac/EN/10.1007/s13238-013-3014-0
https://academic.hep.com.cn/pac/EN/Y2013/V4/I5/342
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