The human fetal thymus generates effector invariant γδ T cells in a Lin28b-dependent manner
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ABSTRACT: In the mouse thymus, invariant γδ T cells are generated at well-defined times during development and acquire effector functions before exiting the thymus. However, whether such thymic programming can occur in human is not known. Here we analyzed human fetal and post-natal γδ thymocytes and investigated the role of hematopoietic-stem-and-precursor-cells (HSPC) in the generation of human γδ T cells. Unlike post-natal γδ thymocytes, fetal γδ thymocytes were functionally programmed (e.g. IFNγ, granzymes), expressed low levels of terminal-deoxynucleotidyl-transferase (TdT) and were highly enriched for invariant/public germline-encoded CDR3 sequences (TRGV8-TRJP1-CATWDTTGWFKIF, TRDV2-TRDD3-CACDTGGY and TRDV1-TRDD3-CALGELGD, previously shown to be expanded in cytomegalovirus infection) composed of short-homology-repeat-containing gene segments. Furthermore, these unique characteristics were due to an intrinsic property of fetal HSPC caused by high expression of the RNA-binding protein Lin28b. In conclusion, our data indicate that the human fetal thymus generates, in a HSPC/Lin28b-dependent manner, invariant γδ T cells with programmed effector functions.
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE128163 | GEO | 2019/11/21
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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