Abstract
Objective-Continuous T-cell production from thymus is essential in replenishing naïve T-cell pool and maintaining optimal T-cell functions. However, the underlying mechanisms regulating the T-cell development in thymus remains largely unknown. Approach and Results-We identified SR-BI (scavenger receptor class B type 1), an HDL (high-density lipoprotein) receptor, as a novel modulator in T-cell development. We found that SR-BI deficiency in mice led to reduced thymus size and decreased T-cell production, which was accompanied by narrowed peripheral naïve T-cell pool. Further investigation revealed that SR-BI deficiency impaired progenitor thymic homing, causing a dramatic reduction in the percentage of earliest thymic progenitors, but did not affect other downstream T-cell developmental steps inside the thymus. As a result of the impaired progenitor thymic homing, SR-BI-deficient mice displayed delayed thymic regeneration postirradiation. Using a variety of experimental approaches, we revealed that the impaired T-cell development in SR-BI-deficient mice was not caused by hematopoietic SR-BI deficiency or SR-BI deficiency-induced hypercholesterolemia, but mainly attributed to the SR-BI deficiency in adrenal glands, as adrenal-specific SR-BI-deficient mice exhibited similar defects in T-cell development and thymic regeneration with SR-BI-deficient mice. Conclusions-This study demonstrates that SR-BI deficiency impaired T-cell development and delayed thymic regeneration by affecting progenitor thymic homing in mice, elucidating a previously unrecognized link between SR-BI and adaptive immunity.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2706-2717 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology |
Volume | 38 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This study was supported by Grants R01GM113832 and R01GM121796 (to Dr Li) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)/National Institutes of Health (NIH). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIGMS or NIH.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 American Heart Association, Inc.
Keywords
- Adrenal glands
- Bone marrow cells
- Bone marrow transplantation
- Lymph nodes
- Regeneration
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine