EVA regulates thymic stromal organisation and early thymocyte development.
Epithelial V-like antigen (EVA) is an immunoglobulin-like adhesion molecule identified in a screen for molecules developmentally regulated at the DN to DP progression in thymocyte development. We show that EVA is expressed during the early stages of thymus organogenesis in both fetal thymic epithelia and T cell precursors, and is progressively downregulated from day 16.5 of embryonic development. In the postnatal thymus, EVA expression is restricted to epithelial cells and is distributed throughout both cortical and medullary thymic regions. Transgenic overexpression of EVA in the thymus cortex resulted in a modified stromal environment, which elicited an increase in organ size and absolute cell number. Although peripheral T lymphocyte numbers are augmented throughout life, no imbalance either in the repertoire, or in the different T cell subsets was detected. Collectively, these data suggest a role for EVA in structural organisation of the thymus and early lymphocyte development.
DeMonte
Lucia
L
San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Porcellini
Simona
S
Tafi
Elisiana
E
Sheridan
Julie
J
Gordon
Julie
J
Depreter
Marianne
M
Blair
Natalie
N
Panigada
Maddalena
M
Sanvito
Francesca
F
Merati
Barbara
B
Albientz
Anita
A
Barthlott
Thomas
T
Ozmen
Laurence
L
Blackburn
C Clare
CC
Guttinger
Maria
M
D000818:Animals; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000502:physiology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; C504470:Eva1 protein, mouse