This proposal will identify molecular changes that maintain the thymic microenvironment, deterioration of which is believed to cause age-related thymic involution. Thymic epithelial cells (TEC) constitute a major element of the thymic microenvironment that directs thymocyte development and controls key thymic functions that generate and maintain effective adaptive immunity to infection, and prevent development of autoimmunity. TEC differentiation requires the epithelial cell-autonomous gene forkhead box N1 (Foxn1). Several inborn Foxn1 mutations have provided information on mechanisms by which Foxn1 regulates TEC function during thymic organogenesis in the embryos. However, the function of Foxn1 in the mature thymus and in natural thymic aging is unclear. We have generated a Foxn1fx mouse, which permits conditional deletion of Foxn1 temporally and allows us to study the role of Foxn1 in functional maintenance of the postnatal thymus and age-related thymic involution. We will test the hypothesis that Foxn1-controlled TECs mediate critical changes of thymic aging, including T-lymphopoiesis and prevention of autoimmunity. To test this hypothesis, we propose four specific aims. 1) We will identify TEC subpopulations that are most sensitive to loss of Foxn1 by evaluating TEC phenotypes after rapid deletion of Foxn1 and during spontaneous and gradual excision of Foxn1, determine TEC-derived T-cell growth factors, including expression of Notch ligands. We will also determine if removal of Foxn1 affects thymocyte phenotypes, T-cell apoptosis. We will conditionally supply exogenous Foxn1 in the middle-aged mice to test if it delays age-related thymic insufficiency. 2) We will elucidate the mechanisms by which conditional Foxn1 deletion in the postnatal thymus causes the TEC phenotypes identified in aim 1, such as enhanced apoptosis and reduced expression of Notch ligands. 3) We will determine if the increased autoimmunity in aging is related to loss of Foxn1 function, and resulting reduced medullary TEC (mTEC) function. In the conditional Foxn1-deleted mice, we will evaluate mTEC differentiation and expression of genes associated with development of central tolerance in the postnatal thymus, as well as regulatory T-cell function. 4). We will map Foxn1-regulated molecules at transcriptional level by obtaining TECs from mice with deleted Foxn1, normal Foxn1, and normal-then-off Foxn1 expression, based on generation of a Foxn1geo gene-trap mouse model. RNA from TECs will be hybridized to microarrays to identify possible mechanisms and pathways by which Foxn1 regulates TEC development. These studies will provide critical new information on the molecular basis for age-related thymic involution and rejuvenation, and lay the groundwork for future studies to preserve or regenerate thymic function and to maintain T-cell immunity in the elderly. Molecular basis for age-related thymic involution and rejuvenation Narrative for the proposal: The thymic microenvironment is mainly controlled by the states of thymic epithelial cells, which are regulated by Foxn1 gene. We have developed a novel mouse model in which the Foxn1 gene can be temporally deleted, which provides a powerful tool to study the mechanisms of postnatal thymic involution, thymic insufficiency-derived immunosenescence, and the increased autoimmunity in aging. These studies will lay the groundwork for restoring thymic dysfunction and extending the functional lifespan of human cellular immunity.

Public Health Relevance

Molecular basis for age-related thymic involution and rejuvenation Narrative for the proposal: The thymic microenvironment is mainly controlled by the states of thymic epithelial cells, which are regulated by Foxn1 gene. We have developed a novel mouse model in which the Foxn1 gene can be temporally deleted, which provides a powerful tool to study the mechanisms of postnatal thymic involution, thymic insufficiency-derived immunosenescence, and the increased autoimmunity in aging. These studies will lay the groundwork for restoring thymic dysfunction and extending the functional lifespan of human cellular immunity.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI081995-02
Application #
7767707
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAI1-BDP-I (J2))
Program Officer
Prabhudas, Mercy R
Project Start
2009-03-01
Project End
2010-09-30
Budget Start
2010-03-01
Budget End
2010-09-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$348,975
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Health Center at Tyler
Department
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
800772337
City
Tyler
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
75708
Coder, Brandon D; Wang, Hongjun; Ruan, Linhui et al. (2015) Thymic involution perturbs negative selection leading to autoreactive T cells that induce chronic inflammation. J Immunol 194:5825-37
Ruan, L; Zhang, Z; Mu, L et al. (2014) Biological significance of FoxN1 gain-of-function mutations during T and B lymphopoiesis in juvenile mice. Cell Death Dis 5:e1457
Burnley, P; Rahman, M; Wang, H et al. (2013) Role of the p63-FoxN1 regulatory axis in thymic epithelial cell homeostasis during aging. Cell Death Dis 4:e932
Guo, Jianfei; Feng, Yan; Barnes, Peter et al. (2012) Deletion of FoxN1 in the thymic medullary epithelium reduces peripheral T cell responses to infection and mimics changes of aging. PLoS One 7:e34681
Zhang, Zhijie; Burnley, Preston; Coder, Brandon et al. (2012) Insights on FoxN1 biological significance and usages of the ""nude"" mouse in studies of T-lymphopoiesis. Int J Biol Sci 8:1156-67
Xia, Jiangyan; Wang, Hongjun; Guo, Jianfei et al. (2012) Age-Related Disruption of Steady-State Thymic Medulla Provokes Autoimmune Phenotype via Perturbing Negative Selection. Aging Dis 3:248-59
Sun, Liguang; Brown, Robert; Chen, Shande et al. (2012) Aging induced decline in T-lymphopoiesis is primarily dependent on status of progenitor niches in the bone marrow and thymus. Aging (Albany NY) 4:606-19
Guo, Jianfei; Rahman, Moshiur; Cheng, Lili et al. (2011) Morphogenesis and maintenance of the 3D thymic medulla and prevention of nude skin phenotype require FoxN1 in pre- and post-natal K14 epithelium. J Mol Med (Berl) 89:263-77
Cheng, Lili; Guo, Jianfei; Sun, Liguang et al. (2010) Postnatal tissue-specific disruption of transcription factor FoxN1 triggers acute thymic atrophy. J Biol Chem 285:5836-47
Su, Dong-Ming; Vankayalapati, Ramakrishna (2010) A new avenue to cure cancer by turning adaptive immune T cells to innate immune NK cells via reprogramming. J Mol Cell Biol 2:237-9

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