Thymosin β4 Regulates the Differentiation of Thymocytes by Controlling the Cytoskeletal Rearrangement and Mitochondrial Transfer of Thymus Epithelial Cells
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Published:2024-01-16
Issue:2
Volume:25
Page:1088
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ISSN:1422-0067
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Container-title:International Journal of Molecular Sciences
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language:en
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Short-container-title:IJMS
Author:
Ying Yuyuan1,
Tao Nana1,
Zhang Fengjie1,
Wen Xunuo1,
Zhou Meiru1,
Gao Jianli1ORCID
Affiliation:
1. School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
Abstract
The thymus is one of the most crucial immunological organs, undergoing visible age-related shrinkage. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) play a vital role in maintaining the normal function of the thymus, and their degeneration is the primary cause of age-induced thymic devolution. Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) serves as a significant important G-actin sequestering peptide. The objective of this study was to explore whether Tβ4 influences thymocyte differentiation by regulating the cytoskeletal rearrangement and mitochondrial transfer of TECs. A combination of H&E staining, immunofluorescence, transmission electron microscopy, RT-qPCR, flow cytometry, cytoskeletal immunolabeling, and mitochondrial immunolabeling were employed to observe the effects of Tβ4 on TECs’ skeleton rearrangement, mitochondrial transfer, and thymocyte differentiation. The study revealed that the Tβ4 primarily regulates the formation of microfilaments and the mitochondrial transfer of TECs, along with the formation and maturation of double-negative cells (CD4−CD8−) and CD4 single-positive cells (CD3+TCRβ+CD4+CD8−) thymocytes. This study suggests that Tβ4 plays a crucial role in thymocyte differentiation by influencing the cytoskeletal rearrangement and mitochondrial transfer of TECs. These effects may be associated with Tβ4’s impact on the aggregation of F-actin. This finding opens up new avenues for research in the field of immune aging.
Funder
Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China
Research Project of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory Project
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Subject
Inorganic Chemistry,Organic Chemistry,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry,Computer Science Applications,Spectroscopy,Molecular Biology,General Medicine,Catalysis