
pmid: 39036995
pmc: PMC11441983
ABSTRACT Although the advent of organoids has opened unprecedented perspectives for basic and translational research, immune system-related organoids remain largely underdeveloped. Here, we established organoids from the thymus, the lymphoid organ responsible for T-cell development. We identified conditions enabling mouse thymic epithelial progenitor cell proliferation and development into organoids with diverse cell populations and transcriptional profiles resembling in vivo thymic epithelial cells (TECs) more closely than traditional TEC cultures. In contrast to these two-dimensional cultures, thymic epithelial organoids maintained thymus functionality in vitro and mediated physiological T-cell development upon reaggregation with T-cell progenitors. The reaggregates showed in vivo-like epithelial diversity and the ability to attract T-cell progenitors. Thymic epithelial organoids are the first organoids originating from the stromal compartment of a lymphoid organ. They provide new opportunities to study TEC biology and T-cell development in vitro, paving the way for future thymic regeneration strategies in ageing or acute injuries.
Thymic epithelial cells, Thymus; Organoids; Thymic epithelial cells; Thymopoiesis; Mouse; T cells, Mouse, T-Lymphocytes, Stem Cells, T cells, Epithelial Cells, Cell Differentiation, Thymus Gland, Thymus, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Organoids, Mice, Techniques and Resources, Animals, Thymopoiesis, Cell Proliferation
Thymic epithelial cells, Thymus; Organoids; Thymic epithelial cells; Thymopoiesis; Mouse; T cells, Mouse, T-Lymphocytes, Stem Cells, T cells, Epithelial Cells, Cell Differentiation, Thymus Gland, Thymus, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Organoids, Mice, Techniques and Resources, Animals, Thymopoiesis, Cell Proliferation
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 17 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
