Upregulation of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand expression in the thymic subcapsular, paraseptal, perivascular, and medullary epithelial cells during thymus regeneration.
The receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB ligand (RANKL; also termed TRANCE/OPGL/ODF/TNFSF11), a new member of the tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily, was identified as a key cytokine involved in the differentiation of the immune system and the regulation of immunity as well as in bone metabolism. In particular, RANKL-deficient mice showed defects in the early differentiation of T lymphocytes, suggesting that RANKL is a novel regulator of early thymocyte development. Here, we describe the expression of RANKL during regeneration following acute involution induced by cyclophosphamide in the rat thymus. The present study demonstrates the presence and upregulated expression of the RANKL in thymic subcapsular, paraseptal, perivascular, and medullary epithelial cells during thymus regeneration. Our results suggest that the RANKL expressed in these thymic epithelial cells plays a role in the development of T cells during thymic regeneration.
Lee
Hee-Woo
HW
Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, 1-10 Ami-Dong, Seo-Gu, 602-739 Busan, South Korea.
Kim
Bong-Seon
BS
Kim
Hyung-Jin
HJ
Lee
Choong-Won
CW
Yoo
Hyun-Jung
HJ
Kim
Jae-Bong
JB
Yoon
Sik
S
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000633:toxicity; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity; D053245:RANK Ligand; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012038:Regeneration; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009153:Mutagens; D053245:RANK Ligand; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D003520:Cyclophosphamide