Immunology

Abstract

The organization of the thymus into distinct cortical and medullary regions enables it to control the step-wise migration and development of immature T-cell precursors. Such a process provides access to specialized cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells at defined stages of maturation, ensuring the generation of self-tolerant and MHC-restricted conventional CD4+ and CD8+ αβ T cells. The migratory cues and stromal cell requirements that regulate the development of conventional αβ T cells have been well studied. However, the thymus also fosters the generation of several immunoregulatory T-cell populations that form key components of both innate and adaptive immune responses. These include Foxp3+ natural regulatory T cells, invariant γδ T cells, and CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells). While less is known about the intrathymic requirements of these nonconventional T cells, recent studies have highlighted the importance of the thymus medulla in their development. Here, we review recent findings on the mechanisms controlling the intrathymic migration of distinct T-cell subsets, and relate this to knowledge of the microenvironmental requirements of these cells.

Via Krishan Maggon

ImmunID has developed immune tests to measure T cell diversity and B cell diversity, in a quantitative and exhaustive way. These tests use a patented multi-N-plex® quantitative PCR technology to detect and characterize V-J rearrangements of the T and B cell receptor at the genomic DNA level. The assay allows the simultaneous detection of several V–J rearrangements in the same reaction and covers 100% of the possible combinatorial rearrangements (for more information on immunogenetics, please refer to the International ImMunoGeneTics Information System).

Immune profiling on a platform compatible with clinical routine requirements

ImmunID’s proprietary testing platform combines quantitative PCR, microfluidics and bioinformatics. ImmunID’s tests allow to translate the complexity of the immune repertoire into easily-visualized and interpretable data.

Immune testing is performed on ImmunID’s platform in 3 main steps:

Preanalytical samples preparation : genomic DNA extraction and Quality ControlsQuantitative multi-N-plex® Polymerase Chain Reaction and amplicons detection by microfluidicsData analysis by our proprietary Constel ID® software

Via Krishan Maggon

The innate immune system is composed of a diverse array of evolutionarily ancient haematopoietic cell types, including dendritic cells, monocytes, macrophages and granulocytes. These cell populations collaborate with each other, with the adaptive immune system and with non-haematopoietic cells to promote immunity, inflammation and tissue repair. Innate lymphoid cells are the most recently identified constituents of the innate immune system and have been the focus of intense investigation over the past five years. We summarize the studies that formally identified innate lymphoid cells and highlight their emerging roles in controlling tissue homeostasis in the context of infection, chronic inflammation, metabolic disease and cancer.

Via Krishan Maggon