A Three-dimensional Thymic Culture System to Generate Murine Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Tumor Antigen-specific Thymic Emigrants

J Vis Exp. 2019 Aug 9:(150):10.3791/58672. doi: 10.3791/58672.

Abstract

The inheritance of pre-rearranged T cell receptors (TCRs) and their epigenetic rejuvenation make induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived T cells a promising source for adoptive T cell therapy (ACT). However, classical in vitro methods for producing regenerated T cells from iPSC result in either innate-like or terminally differentiated T cells, which are phenotypically and functionally distinct from naïve T cells. Recently, a novel three-dimensional (3D) thymic culture system was developed to generate a homogenous subset of CD8αβ+ antigen-specific T cells with a naïve T cell-like functional phenotype, including the capacity for proliferation, memory formation, and tumor suppression in vivo. This protocol avoids aberrant developmental fates, allowing for the generation of clinically relevant iPSC-derived T cells, designated as iPSC-derived thymic emigrants (iTE), while also providing a potent tool to elucidate the subsequent functions necessary for T cell maturation after thymic selection.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology*
  • Cell Culture Techniques / methods*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Mice
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Thymus Gland / cytology*
  • Thymus Gland / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm