Cross-species analyses of thymic mimetic cells reveal evolutionarily ancient origins and both conserved and species-specific elements.

ABSTRACT: Thymic mimetic cells are molecular hybrids between medullary-thymic-epithelial cells (mTECs) and diverse peripheral cell types. They are involved in eliminating autoreactive T cells and can perform supplementary functions reflective of their peripheral-cell counterparts. Current knowledge about mimetic cells derives largely from mouse models. To provide the high resolution that proved revelatory for mice, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing on purified mimetic-cell compartments from human pediatric donors. The single-cell profiles of individual donors were surprisingly similar, with diversification of neuroendocrine subtypes and expansion of the muscle subtype relative to mice. Informatic and imaging studies on the muscle-mTEC population highlighted a maturation trajectory suggestive o

SUBMITTER: Huisman BD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11735279 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature