A general survey of thymocyte differentiation by transcriptional analysis of knockout mouse models

The thymus is the primary site of T cell lymphopoiesis. To undergo proper differentiation, developing T cells follow a well-ordered genetic program that strictly depends on the heterogeneous and highly specialized thymic microenvironment. In this study, we used microarray technology to extensively describe transcriptional events regulating alphabeta T cell fate. To get an integrated view of these processes, both whole thymi from genetically engineered mice together with purified thymocytes were analyzed. Using mice exhibiting various transcriptional perturbations and developmental blockades, we performed a transcriptional microdissection of the organ. Multiple signatures covering both cortical and medullary stroma as well as various thymocyte maturation intermediates were clearly defined. Beyond the definition of histological and functional signatures (proliferation, rearrangement), we provide the first evidence that such an approach may also highlight the complex cross-talk events that occur between maturing T cells and stroma. Our data constitute a useful integrated resource describing the main gene networks set up during thymocyte development and a first step toward a more systematic transcriptional analysis of genetically modified mice.