Differential expression of tissue-restricted antigens among mTEC is associated with distinct autoreactive T cell fates

Nat Commun. 2020 Jul 24;11(1):3734. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-17544-3.

Abstract

Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC) contribute to the development of T cell tolerance by expressing and presenting tissue-restricted antigens (TRA), so that developing T cells can assess the self-reactivity of their antigen receptors prior to leaving the thymus. mTEC are a heterogeneous population of cells that differentially express TRA. Whether mTEC subsets induce distinct autoreactive T cell fates remains unclear. Here, we establish bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-transgenic mouse lines with biased mTEClo or mTEChi expression of model antigens. The transgenic lines support negative selection of antigen-specific thymocytes depending on antigen dose. However, model antigen expression predominantly by mTEClo supports TCRαβ+ CD8αα intraepithelial lymphocyte development; meanwhile, mTEChi-restricted expression preferentially induces Treg differentiation of antigen-specific cells in these models to impact control of infectious agents and tumor growth. In summary, our data suggest that mTEC subsets may have a function in directing distinct mechanisms of T cell tolerance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AIRE Protein
  • Animals
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology
  • Antigens / immunology*
  • Antigens / metabolism
  • Bacterial Infections
  • Bone Marrow
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Epithelial Cells / immunology*
  • Female
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Lymph Nodes
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Thymocytes / immunology
  • Thymus Gland / immunology*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Transcription Factors