title: Three distinct subsets of thymic epithelial cells in rats and mice defined by novel antibodies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are thought to play an essential role in T cell development and have been detected mainly in mice using lectin binding and antibodies to keratins. Our aim in the present study was to create a precise map of rat TECs using antibodies to putative markers and novel monoclonal antibodies (i.e., ED 18/19/21 and anti-CD205 antibodies) and compare it with a map from mouse counterparts and that of rat thymic dendritic cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rat TECs were subdivided on the basis of phenotype into three subsets; ED18+ED19+/-keratin 5 (K5)+K8+CD205+ class II MHC (MHCII)+ cortical TECs (cTECs), ED18+ED21-K5-K8+Ulex europaeus lectin 1 (UEA-1)+CD205- medullary TECs (mTEC1s), and ED18+ED21+K5+K8dullUEA-1-CD205- medullary TECs (mTEC2s). Thymic nurse cells were defined in cytosmears as an ED18+ED19+/-K5+K8+ subset of cTECs. mTEC1s preferentially expressed MHCII, claudin-3, claudin-4, and autoimmune regulator (AIRE). Use of ED18 and ED21 antibodies revealed three subsets of TECs in mice as well. We also detected two distinct TEC-free areas in the subcapsular cortex and in the medulla. Rat dendritic cells in the cortex were MHCII+CD103+ but negative for TEC markers, including CD205. Those in the medulla were MHCII+CD103+ and CD205+ cells were found only in the TEC-free area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both rats and mice have three TEC subsets with similar phenotypes that can be identified using known markers and new monoclonal antibodies. These findings will facilitate further analysis of TEC subsets and DCs and help to define their roles in thymic selection and in pathological states such as autoimmune disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy (Macro), Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sawanobori
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy (Macro), Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiashi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ueta
authors.affiliation: Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Christine D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Dijkstra
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunology, Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chae Gyu
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.
authors.forename: Motoyasu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Satou
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy (Macro), Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kitazawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy (Macro), Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.
authors.forename: Kenjiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsuno
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D062465:Claudin-3 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D062506:Claudin-4 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D053555:Keratin-5 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D053533:Keratin-8 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens; D010641:Phenotype; D037121:Plant Lectins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D062465:Claudin-3; D062506:Claudin-4; C093569:DEC-205 receptor; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D053555:Keratin-5; D053533:Keratin-8; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens; D037121:Plant Lectins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; C036850:Ulex europaeus lectins