Fetal and adult hematopoietic stem cells give rise to distinct T cell lineages in humans

Science. 2010 Dec 17;330(6011):1695-9. doi: 10.1126/science.1196509.

Abstract

Although the mammalian immune system is generally thought to develop in a linear fashion, findings in avian and murine species argue instead for the developmentally ordered appearance (or "layering") of distinct hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that give rise to distinct lymphocyte lineages at different stages of development. Here we provide evidence of an analogous layered immune system in humans. Our results suggest that fetal and adult T cells are distinct populations that arise from different populations of HSCs that are present at different stages of development. We also provide evidence that the fetal T cell lineage is biased toward immune tolerance. These observations offer a mechanistic explanation for the tolerogenic properties of the developing fetus and for variable degrees of immune responsiveness at birth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Adult Stem Cells / cytology
  • Adult Stem Cells / physiology
  • Aging / immunology
  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow / embryology
  • Bone Marrow Cells
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cell Lineage*
  • Cytoprotection
  • Fetus / cytology
  • Fetus / immunology*
  • Gene Expression
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance*
  • Liver / cytology
  • Liver / embryology
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Lymphopoiesis
  • Mice
  • Mice, SCID
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / physiology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / physiology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / physiology
  • Thymus Gland / cytology
  • Thymus Gland / immunology
  • Young Adult

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE25119