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Gras-Peña R, Danzl NM, Khosravi-Maharlooei M, Campbell SR, Ruiz AE, Parks CA, Suen Savage WM, Holzl MA, Chatterjee D, Sykes M. Human stem cell-derived thymic epithelial cells enhance human T-cell development in a xenogeneic thymus. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2021; 149:1755-1771. [PMID: 34695489 PMCID: PMC9023620 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.09.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Generation of thymic tissue from pluripotent stem cells would provide therapies for acquired and congenital thymic insufficiency states. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to generate human thymic epithelial progenitors from human embryonic stem cells (hES-TEPs) and to assess their thymopoietic function in vivo. METHODS This study differentiated hES-TEPs by mimicking developmental queues with FGF8, retinoic acid, SHH, Noggin, and BMP4. Their function was assessed in reaggregate cellular grafts under the kidney capsule and in hybrid thymi by incorporating them into swine thymus (SwTHY) grafts implanted under the kidney capsules of immunodeficient mice that received human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (hHSPCs) intravenously. RESULTS Cultured hES-TEPs expressed FOXN1 and formed colonies expressing EPCAM and both cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cell markers. In thymectomized immunodeficient mice receiving hHSPCs, hES-TEPs mixed with human thymic mesenchymal cells supported human T-cell development. Hypothesizing that support from non-epithelial thymic cells might allow long-term function of hES-TEPs, the investigators injected them into SwTHY tissue, which supports human thymopoiesis in NOD severe combined immunodeficiency IL2Rγnull mice receiving hHSPCs. hES-TEPs integrated into SwTHY grafts, enhanced human thymopoiesis, and increased peripheral CD4+ naive T-cell reconstitution. CONCLUSIONS This study has developed and demonstrated in vivo thymopoietic function of hES-TEPs generated with a novel differentiation protocol. The SwTHY hybrid thymus model demonstrates beneficial effects on human thymocyte development of hES-TEPs maturing in the context of a supportive thymic structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Gras-Peña
- Columbia Center for Human Development, Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY; Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY.
| | - Nichole M Danzl
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Mohsen Khosravi-Maharlooei
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Sean R Campbell
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Amanda E Ruiz
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Christopher A Parks
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - William Meng Suen Savage
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Markus A Holzl
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Debanjana Chatterjee
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Megan Sykes
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Surgery and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University, New York, NY.
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