Betaglycan (T?RIII) is expressed in the thymus and regulates T cell development by protecting thymocytes from apoptosis.

ABSTRACT: TGF-? type III receptor (T?RIII) is a coreceptor for TGF? family members required for high-affinity binding of these ligands to their receptors, potentiating their cellular functions. TGF-? [1]-[3], bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP2/4) and inhibins regulate different checkpoints during T cell differentiation. Although T?RIII is expressed on hematopoietic cells, the role of this receptor in the immune system remains elusive. Here, we provide the first evidence that T?RIII is developmentally expressed during T cell ontogeny, and plays a crucial role in thymocyte differentiation. Blocking of endogenous T?RIII in fetal thymic organ cultures led to a delay in DN-DP transition. In addition, in vitro development of T?RIII(-/-) thymic lobes also showed a significant reduction in absolute thymocyte numbers, which correlated with increased thymocyte apoptosis, resembling the phenotype reported in Inhibin ? (-/-) thymic lobes. These data suggest that Inhibins and T?RIII may function as a molecular pair regulating T cell development.

SUBMITTER: Aleman-Muench GR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3430661 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature