title: Thymic Crosstalk Coordinates Medulla Organization and T-Cell Tolerance Induction.
abstract: The thymus ensures the generation of a functional and highly diverse T-cell repertoire. The thymic medulla, which is mainly composed of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) and dendritic cells (DCs), provides a specialized microenvironment dedicated to the establishment of T-cell tolerance. mTECs play a privileged role in this pivotal process by their unique capacity to express a broad range of peripheral self-antigens that are presented to developing T cells. Reciprocally, developing T cells control mTEC differentiation and organization. These bidirectional interactions are commonly referred to as thymic crosstalk. This review focuses on the relative contributions of mTEC and DC subsets to the deletion of autoreactive T cells and the generation of natural regulatory T cells. We also summarize current knowledge regarding how hematopoietic cells conversely control the composition and complex three-dimensional organization of the thymic medulla.
authors.affiliation: Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, INSERM, U1104, CNRS UMR7280, Aix-Marseille Université UM2 , Marseille , France.
authors.forename: Noëlla
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR7258, Aix-Marseille Université UM105 , Marseille , France.
authors.forename: Arnauld
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sergé
authors.affiliation: Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, INSERM, U1104, CNRS UMR7280, Aix-Marseille Université UM2 , Marseille , France.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferrier
authors.affiliation: Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, INSERM, U1104, CNRS UMR7280, Aix-Marseille Université UM2 , Marseille , France.
authors.forename: Magali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Irla
keywords: T-cell tolerance; autoimmune regulator; dendritic cells; medulla; medullary thymic epithelial cells; natural regulatory T cells; negative selection; thymic crosstalk