Citation

Huisman BD, Michelson DA, Rubin SA, Kohlsaat K, Gomarga W, Fang Y, Lee JM, Del Nido P, Nathan M, Benoist C, Zon L, Mathis D. 2025. Cross-species analyses of thymic mimetic cells reveal evolutionarily ancient origins and both conserved and species-specific elements. Immunity. 58(1):108-123.e7. Pubmed: 39731911 DOI:S1074-7613(24)00540-5

Abstract

Thymic mimetic cells are molecular hybrids between medullary-thymic-epithelial cells (mTECs) and diverse peripheral cell types. They are involved in eliminating autoreactive T cells and can perform supplementary functions reflective of their peripheral-cell counterparts. Current knowledge about mimetic cells derives largely from mouse models. To provide the high resolution that proved revelatory for mice, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing on purified mimetic-cell compartments from human pediatric donors. The single-cell profiles of individual donors were surprisingly similar, with diversification of neuroendocrine subtypes and expansion of the muscle subtype relative to mice. Informatic and imaging studies on the muscle-mTEC population highlighted a maturation trajectory suggestive of skeletal-muscle differentiation, some striated structures, and occasional cellular groupings reminiscent of neuromuscular junctions. We also profiled thymic mimetic cells from zebrafish. Integration of data from the three species identified species-specific adaptations but substantial interspecies conservation, highlighting the evolutionarily ancient nature of mimetic mTECs. Our findings provide a landscape view of human mimetic cells, with anticipated relevance in autoimmunity.
Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Photo of Len Zon

The Zon laboratory aims to dissect how assaults to the hematopoietic system cause severe diseases such as leukemias, lymphomas, and anemias. They investigate hematopoietic development and disease using chemical screens, genetic screens, and analysis of novel transgenic lines in zebrafish.

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