Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
08:37
Induction of Murine Intestinal Inflammation by Adoptive Transfer of Effector CD4+CD45RBhigh T Cells into Immunodeficient Mice
Published on: April 21, 2015
Thymus leukemia antigen controls intraepithelial lymphocyte function and inflammatory bowel disease
Danyvid Olivares-Villagómez1, Yanice V Mendez-Fernandez, Vrajesh V Parekh
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. danyvid.olivares-villagomez@vanderbilt.edu
Summary
Thymus leukemia (TL) antigen is crucial for controlling intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) effector functions. Lack of TL exacerbates colitis, highlighting its regulatory role in intestinal inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) have a partially activated phenotype for rapid immune responses.
- This activation necessitates tight regulation to prevent inappropriate immune reactions.
- The CD8αα homodimer interaction with thymus leukemia (TL) antigen on intestinal epithelial cells is a proposed regulatory mechanism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of thymus leukemia (TL) antigen in regulating IEL function.
- To determine the impact of TL deficiency on intestinal immunity and inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Generation and characterization of mice genetically deficient in TL expression.
- Assessment of IEL effector functions in TL-deficient mice.
- Evaluation of colitis development in a genetic inflammatory bowel disease model using TL-deficient mice.
Main Results:
- TL expression is critical for maintaining IEL effector functions.
- Mice lacking TL exhibited accelerated colitis in a genetic model of inflammatory bowel disease.
- TL plays a significant role in controlling IEL function and intestinal inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Thymus leukemia (TL) antigen is essential for regulating intestinal intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) effector functions.
- TL deficiency impairs immune homeostasis, leading to exacerbated intestinal inflammation.
- Targeting the TL-mediated pathway could offer therapeutic strategies for inflammatory bowel disease.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
01:20Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation that typically begins in the rectum and extends proximally in a uniform pattern. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and environmental influences. These factors converge to impair the colon’s epithelial defenses and promote an exaggerated inflammatory response against luminal contents.Breakdown of the Mucosal BarrierA...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
01:26Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic disorders marked by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to an abnormal immune response against gut microflora. This leads to tissue damage. The two main forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s DiseaseCrohn’s disease is a relapsing inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. It involves all layers of the bowel wall (transmural) and shows “skip lesions” in which...