The role of morphogens in T-cell development.
The Hedgehog (Hh) and Wnt family proteins, and the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) 2 and 4, act as morphogens during vertebrate embryogenesis and organogenesis by regulating patterning and cell fate. They have recently been found to have a role in regulating cell fate and determination in self-renewing tissues in adults, such as the immune system and haematopoietic system. This Review presents studies on the role of Sonic Hh (Shh), Wnts and BMP2/4 in the regulation of thymocyte development. Shh and BMP2/4 act as negative regulators of thymocyte development. By contrast, Wnt signalling, through beta-catenin, has a positive role in the control of T-cell development, such that an absence or reduction in the Wnt signal leads to a reduction in cell number and cell proliferation rate and differentiation to the CD4+CD8+ double-positive stage.
Varas
Alberto
A
Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Hager-Theodorides
Ariadne L
AL
Sacedón
Rosa
R
Vicente
Angeles
A
Zapata
Agustín G
AG
Crompton
Tessa
T
D000818:Animals; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D006801:Humans; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins
C525718:BMP2 protein, human; C525809:BMP4 protein, human; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; C509239:SHH protein, human; D015534:Trans-Activators; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; C525813:bmp4 protein, zebrafish