title: Engineering approaches for regeneration of T lymphopoiesis.
abstract: T cells play a central role in immune-homeostasis; specifically in the induction of antigen-specific adaptive immunity against pathogens and mutated self with immunological memory. The thymus is the unique organ where T cells are generated. In this review, first the complex structures and functions of various thymic microcompartments are briefly discussed to identify critical engineering targets for regeneration of thymic functions in vitro and in vivo. Then the biomimetic regenerative engineering approaches are reviewed in three categories: 1) reconstruction of 3-D thymic architecture, 2) cellular engineering, and 3) biomaterials-based artificial presentation of critical biomolecules. For each engineering approach, remaining challenges and clinical opportunities are also identified and discussed.
authors.affiliation: The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, 950 Atlantic Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30332 USA.
authors.forename: Kyung-Ho
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1139-4909
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.affiliation: The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, 950 Atlantic Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30332 USA.
authors.forename: Krishnendu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Roy
keywords: Negative selection; Notch signaling; OP9-DL1; Positive selection; Stem cells; T cell receptor; T cells; Thymic epithelial cells; Thymus