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Updated: May 11, 2026

Retroviral Infection of Murine Embryonic Stem Cell Derived Embryoid Body Cells for Analysis of Hematopoietic Differentiation
Published on: October 20, 2014
CD248 expression on mesenchymal stromal cells is required for post-natal and infection-dependent thymus remodelling
Siân Lax1, Ewan A Ross, Andrea White
1Rheumatology Research Group, Institute of Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, UK ; MRC Centre for Immune Regulation, University of Birmingham, UK.
Abstract:
The role of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in regulating immune responses in the thymus is currently unclear. Here we report the existence and role of a MSC population in the thymus that expresses the pericyte and MSC marker CD248 (endosialin). We show using a CD248-deficient mouse model, that CD248 expression on these cells is required for full post-natal thymus development and regeneration post-Salmonella infection. In CD248(-/-) mice the thymus is hypocellular and regeneration is poorer, with significant loss of all thymocyte populations. This identifies the requirement of CD248 to maintain optimal thymic cellularity post-partum and infection.
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