Abstract |
Bone marrow progenitors migrate to the thymus, where they proliferate and differentiate into immunologically competent T cells. In this report we show that mice transgenic for SV40 T and t antigens under the control of the L- pyruvate kinase promoter develop, in a first step, thymic hyperplasia of both thymocytes and epithelial cells. Morphological studies (histology, immunohistolabeling and electron microscopy) revealed modifications of the thymic microenvironment and gradual expansion of medullary epithelial cells in 1 month-old mice, taking over the cortical region. Then, a thymic carcinoma develops. Two-color labeling of frozen sections identified the transgene in medullary epithelial cells. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated a marked increase in mature CD4+ and CD8+ thymocytes in adult mice (39 +/- 10 x 10(6) in transgenic mice and 12 +/- 5 x 10(6) in age-matched controls). Furthermore, thymocyte export was disturbed.
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Authors | Bernadette Nabarra, Catherine Martinon, Cécile Godard, Florence Vasseur, Geoffroy de Ribains, Lucile Miquerol, Axel Kahn, Sophie Ezine |
Journal | Developmental immunology
(Dev Immunol)
Vol. 9
Issue 4
Pg. 223-31
(Dec 2002)
ISSN: 1044-6672 [Print] England |
PMID | 15144019
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming
- Pyruvate Kinase
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Topics |
- Animals
- Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming
(genetics, immunology)
- Cell Differentiation
(immunology)
- Cell Movement
(immunology)
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
(genetics)
- Disease Models, Animal
- Epithelial Cells
(physiology, ultrastructure)
- Female
- Flow Cytometry
- Hyperplasia
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Pyruvate Kinase
(genetics)
- Simian virus 40
(genetics, immunology)
- T-Lymphocytes
(physiology, ultrastructure)
- Thymus Neoplasms
(physiopathology)
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