A human postnatal lymphoid progenitor capable of circulating and seeding the thymus

J Exp Med. 2007 Dec 24;204(13):3085-93. doi: 10.1084/jem.20071003. Epub 2007 Dec 10.

Abstract

Identification of a thymus-seeding progenitor originating from human bone marrow (BM) constitutes a key milestone in understanding the mechanisms of T cell development and provides new potential for correcting T cell deficiencies. We report the characterization of a novel lymphoid-restricted subset, which is part of the lineage-negative CD34(+)CD10(+) progenitor population and which is distinct from B cell-committed precursors (in view of the absence of CD24 expression). We demonstrate that these Lin(-)CD34(+)CD10(+)CD24(-) progenitors have a very low myeloid potential but can generate B, T, and natural killer lymphocytes and coexpress recombination activating gene 1, terminal deoxynucleotide transferase, PAX5, interleukin 7 receptor alpha, and CD3epsilon. These progenitors are present in the cord blood and in the BM but can also be found in the blood throughout life. Moreover, they belong to the most immature thymocyte population. Collectively, these findings unravel the existence of a postnatal lymphoid-polarized population that is capable of migrating from the BM to the thymus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD34 / biosynthesis
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • CD24 Antigen / biosynthesis
  • CD3 Complex / biosynthesis
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
  • Neprilysin / biosynthesis
  • Phenotype
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Thymus Extracts / metabolism*
  • Thymus Gland / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34
  • CD24 Antigen
  • CD3 Complex
  • Thymus Extracts
  • Neprilysin