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Inhibins are the major activin ligands expressed during early thymocyte development

  1. Paula Licona1,
  2. Jesús Chimal-Monroy2,
  3. Gloria Soldevila1,*

Article first published online: 13 FEB 2006

DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.20707

Issue

Developmental Dynamics

Developmental Dynamics

Special Issue: Campos-Ortega Special Focus

Volume 235, Issue 4, pages 1124–1132, April 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

Licona, P., Chimal-Monroy, J. and Soldevila, G. (2006), Inhibins are the major activin ligands expressed during early thymocyte development. Dev. Dyn., 235: 1124–1132. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.20707

Author Information

  1. 1

    Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México

  2. 2

    Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México

*Department of Immunology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Escolar s/n, México DF-04510

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 10 MAR 2006
  2. Article first published online: 13 FEB 2006
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 4 JAN 2006

Funded by

  • Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT). Grant Numbers: 42797-Q, 42568-Q
  • Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (DGAPA). Grant Number: IN200205

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Keywords:

  • activins;
  • inhibins;
  • Alk 4;
  • ActRIIA;
  • ActRIIB;
  • thymocyte;
  • thymocyte development;
  • stroma;
  • Smads

Abstract

Activins are members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) superfamily, which regulate cell differentiation processes. Here we report the first quantitative analysis of the expression of Activin/Inhibin ligands, type I and II receptors, as well as Smad proteins in fetal (E14–E16) and adult thymic subpopulations. Our data showed that Alk4, ActRIIA, ActRIIB, and Smads 2, 3, and 4, are expressed in fetal thymus (E14 > E15 > E16) and in thymocytes from adult mice (mostly in the double negative [DN] subpopulation). Ligand expression analysis showed that βA, βB, and α subunits were mainly detected in thymic stromal cells. Interestingly, α subunits were expressed at much higher levels compared to βA and βB subunits, demonstrating for the first time the potential role of Inhibins as important mediators during early T cell development. Our data indicate that Activin/Inhibin signaling could regulate the process of thymus organogenesis and early thymocyte differentiation, as it has been demonstrated for other members of the TGF-β superfamily. Developmental Dynamics 235:1124–1132, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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