| First Author | Nagakubo D | Year | 2017 |
| Journal | Int Immunol | Volume | 29 |
| Issue | 8 | Pages | 385-390 |
| PubMed ID | 28992076 | Mgi Jnum | J:248047 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5919319 | Doi | 10.1093/intimm/dxx048 |
| Citation | Nagakubo D, et al. (2017) Autoimmunity associated with chemically induced thymic dysplasia. Int Immunol 29(8):385-390 |
| abstractText | Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions are frequent complications in patients with reduced numbers of T cells. Here, we describe a mouse model of thymic stromal dysplasia resulting in peripheral T-cell lymphopenia. In Foxn1:CFP-NTR transgenic mice, the bacterial nitroreductase enzyme is expressed in thymic epithelial cells and converts the prodrug CB1954 into a cytotoxic agent. This strategy enables titratable and durable destruction of thymopoietic tissue in early embryogenesis. Our results indicate that the resulting low levels of thymic capacity for T-cell production create a predisposition for the development of a complex autoimmune syndrome, chiefly characterized by inflammatory bowel disease and lymphocytic organ infiltrations. We conclude that the Foxn1:CFP-NTR transgenic mouse strain represents a suitable animal model to optimize established clinical protocols, such as thymus transplantation, to correct various forms of thymic dysplasia and to explore novel treatment options. |
