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From stem cell to T cell: one route or many?
Avinash Bhandoola1, Arivazhagan Sambandam
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, 3400 Spruce Street, Pennsylvania 19104-6160, USA. bhandooa@mail.med.upenn.edu
Nature Reviews. Immunology
|February 24, 2006
Summary
Hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow give rise to T cells in the thymus. Research shows multiple bone marrow progenitors can become T cells, but only those reaching the thymus are true physiological T cell progenitors.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
- Hematopoiesis
Background:
- T cells are crucial for adaptive immunity and develop in the thymus.
- The origin of T cells traces back to hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the bone marrow.
- Understanding the specific progenitors involved in T cell development is key to immunological health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize current research on the identity of hematopoietic progenitors that generate T cells.
- To explore the migration pathways and thymic settlement of these progenitors.
- To clarify the criteria for physiological T cell progenitors.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research findings.
- Analysis of data on progenitor cell populations and their differentiation potential.
- Examination of cell migration and homing mechanisms to the thymus.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests a diversity of bone marrow progenitors possess T-cell-lineage competence.
- These progenitors migrate via the bloodstream to colonize the thymus.
- Developmental flexibility exists in T cell lineage commitment.
- Only progenitors capable of migrating to and settling in the thymus are considered physiological T cell progenitors.
Conclusions:
- The T cell lineage commitment mechanism is adaptable and can act on various progenitor types.
- The ability to reach and engraft within the thymus defines a physiological T cell progenitor.
- This understanding has implications for regenerative medicine and immunotherapy.