Investigating innate lymphoid cell function in primary lymphoid tissue

Jones, Rhys (2020). Investigating innate lymphoid cell function in primary lymphoid tissue. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Lymphoid Tissue inducer (LTi) cells are part of the Innate Lymphoid Cell (ILC) family and have been implicated in the development of thymic microenvironments and support their recovery following damage. However, a detailed characterisation of other ILC subsets within the thymus is lacking. This study aimed to characterise the ILC composition of the thymus across ontogeny and investigate their function. Inhibitor of DNA-binding 2 (Id2) is a transcriptional regulator required for the development of ILC subsets. Several in vivo models, including Id2 fate mapping and Id2 reporter mice, were used to dissect ILC populations within the thymus. LTi cells, a subset of ILC3, were prominent in the embryo, but numbers reduced in the neonate and continued to decline in the adult, where ILC2 became the dominant population. ILC2 were capable of producing IL-5 and IL-13 ex vivo, and through confocal imaging we discovered ILC2 within the thymic medulla. Surprisingly, the majority of Id2 expressing cells in the thymus were not ILC but developing thymocytes, which are present in much greater numbers compared to the number of ILC2. Collectively, we have revealed changes in the ILC compartment of the thymus across ontogeny and started to characterise Id2 expression amongst other lymphocytes.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):