Development and developmental potential of cortical thymic epithelial cells

The thymic cortex provides a microenvironment for the development and positive selection of immature T cells. Cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTECs), which structurally and functionally support the thymic cortical microenvironment, originate from endodermal epithelial progenitors that arise in the third pharyngeal pouch. Recent studies have revealed that thymic epithelial progenitors pass through a stage where the cells express cTEC-associated molecules prior to lineage separation into cTECs and medullary TECs (mTECs). Here we review the molecular signatures of cTECs and highlight the development and developmental potential of cTECs.

This is the peer-reviewed version of the following article: Ohigashi, I. , Kozai, M. and Takahama, Y. (2016), Development and developmental potential of cortical thymic epithelial cells. Immunol Rev, 271: 10-22, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/imr.12404. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.