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Related Experiment Videos

Steroid production in the thymus: implications for thymocyte selection

M S Vacchio1, V Papadopoulos, J D Ashwell

  • 1Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|June 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

Locally produced glucocorticoids in the thymus may influence T cell development. Blocking these steroids enhances T cell receptor-mediated deletion, suggesting a role in immune cell selection.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Endocrinology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The thymus is crucial for T cell maturation and immune tolerance.
  • Steroid production within the thymus is not fully understood.
  • Glucocorticoids are known immune modulators.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the steroidogenic capacity of the mouse thymus.
  • To determine the role of locally produced glucocorticoids in thymocyte selection.

Main Methods:

  • Culturing thymic non-T cells to assess steroid production.
  • Immunohistochemistry to detect steroidogenic enzymes in thymic cells.
  • Inhibition of corticosterone production and glucocorticoid receptor blockade (RU-486).

Main Results:

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  • Thymic non-T cells produced pregnenolone and deoxycorticosterone.
  • Steroidogenic enzymes were found in radioresistant thymic epithelial cells.
  • Inhibition of corticosterone or RU-486 treatment enhanced T cell receptor-mediated deletion of thymocytes.

Conclusions:

  • The mouse thymus produces glucocorticoids locally.
  • Locally produced glucocorticoids may regulate antigen-specific thymocyte selection by antagonizing T cell receptor-mediated death signaling.