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MTORC2 in Thymic Epithelial Cells Controls Thymopoiesis and T Cell Development.

ABSTRACT: Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) play important roles in T cell generation. Mechanisms that control TEC development and function are still not well defined. The mammalian or mechanistic target of rapamycin complex (mTORC)2 signals to regulate cell survival, nutrient uptake, and metabolism. We report in the present study that mice with TEC-specific ablation of Rictor, a critical and unique adaptor molecule in mTORC2, display thymic atrophy, which accompanies decreased TEC numbers in the medulla. Moreover, generation of multiple T cell lineages, including conventional TCR?? T cells, regulatory T cells, invariant NKT cells, and TCR?? T cells, was reduced in TEC-specific Rictor-deficient mice. Our data demonstrate that mTORC2 in TECs is important for normal thymopoiesis and efficient T cell generation.

SUBMITTER: Wang HX

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4912958 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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mTORC2 in Thymic Epithelial Cells Controls Thymopoiesis and T Cell Development.

Wang Hong-Xia HX Cheng Joyce S JS Chu Shuai S Qiu Yu-Rong YR Zhong Xiao-Ping XP

Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950) 20160527 1

Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) play important roles in T cell generation. Mechanisms that control TEC development and function are still not well defined. The mammalian or mechanistic target of rapamycin complex (mTORC)2 signals to regulate cell survival, nutrient uptake, and metabolism. We report in the present study that mice with TEC-specific ablation of Rictor, a critical and unique adaptor molecule in mTORC2, display thymic atrophy, which accompanies decreased TEC numbers in the medulla. Mo ...[more]

PMID: 27233961

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