Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Isolation, Identification, and Purification of Murine Thymic Epithelial Cells
Published on: August 8, 2014
Cytotoxic Effects of Rabbit Anti-thymocyte Globulin Preparations on Primary Human Thymic Epithelial Cells
Eva M Kaebisch1, Mi-Young Cho2, Young-Seong Oh1
1Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.
Background:
Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) presents a major cause for morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Rabbit-derived antithymocyte globulin (rATG) treatment reduces the incidence of GvHD after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, delayed immune reconstitution following rATG treatment, partly caused by hampered thymic function, is being discussed. The present study aims at elucidating possible cytotoxic effects of 2 commonly used rATG preparations on cultured human thymic stroma, especially thymic epithelial cells (TECs).
Methods:
A primary TEC culture was established and the binding and cytotoxicity of 2 rATG preparations to the aforementioned cells were assessed by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence analyses. The release of several cytokines by cultured thymic stroma cells in response to rATG was analyzed via multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
Results:
Both preparations showed a comparable dose-dependent binding to TECs and exerted a similar complement-independent, dose-dependent cytotoxicity. rATG exposure further resulted in hampered secretion of interleukin (IL)-7, IL-15, and IL-6, cytokines being involved in thymic T cell development and proliferation. Pretreatment with keratinocyte growth factor diminished rATG-induced cytotoxicity of TECs and restored their IL-7 and IL-15 secretion.
Conclusions:
Cytotoxic effects on TECs link the rATG-induced thymic damage to the delayed T cell reconstitution, witnessed after rATG treatment. Our data support a combination treatment of rATG and thymus-protective strategies such as keratinocyte growth factor to simultaneously offer sufficient GvHD prophylaxis and overcome delayed T cell reconstitution caused by thymic damage.
More Related Videos
09:41Preparation of Single-Cell Suspension of Mouse Thymic Epithelial Cells and Staining of Intracellular Molecules for Flow Cytometric AnalysisMechanisms
Published on: July 26, 2024
09:07Isolation of Myeloid Dendritic Cells and Epithelial Cells from Human Thymus
Published on: September 19, 2013
Related Concept Videos
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
Buffer Effectiveness
The buffer capacity is the amount of acid or base that can be added to a given volume...
Framing Effects
Biological Effects of Radiation
Primary Active Transport