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Maturation and emigration of single-positive thymocytes
Xi Xu1, Shusong Zhang, Pingping Li
1Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Department of Immunology, Peking University Health Science Center, Ministry of Health, 38 Xue Yuan Road, Beijing 100191, China.
Clinical & Developmental Immunology
|November 5, 2013
Summary
T cell development continues after the single positive stage in the thymus. Recent findings show thymic medulla maturation and regulated emigration for T cells, impacting their further development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- T cell development was traditionally considered complete at the single positive (SP) stage.
- SP thymocytes were thought to exit the thymus randomly or via a 'first-in-first-out' process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in late-stage T cell development.
- To discuss the regulatory mechanisms governing these late developmental stages.
Main Methods:
- This review synthesizes findings from recent immunological and developmental biology research.
- Key evidence regarding thymic medulla maturation and T cell emigration is discussed.
Main Results:
- Newly generated SP thymocytes undergo a multistage maturation program within the thymic medulla.
- T cell emigration from the thymus is a tightly regulated process.
- Recent thymic emigrants (RTEs) undergo further postthymic maturation.
Conclusions:
- T cell maturation extends beyond the SP stage, involving significant thymic and postthymic events.
- The regulation of late-stage T cell development is complex and crucial for immune competence.
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