Irla, Magali Guerri, Lucia Guenot, Jeanne Sergé, Arnauld Lantz, Olivier Liston, Adrian A. Imhof, Beat Palmer, Ed Reith, Walter LT expression is induced by Ag-specific activation of CD4<sup>+</sup> thymocytes. <p>(A) RANKL, CD40L, LTα and LTβ mRNAs were quantified in DP and CD4<sup>+</sup> thymocytes from <i>OTII:Rag2</i><sup>−/−</sup> and <i>Rip-mOVA:OTII:Rag2</i><sup>−/−</sup> mice: means and SEM are from 3 experiments, each with 2 mice per group. (B) LTα mRNA and cell surface LT were assessed for unstimulated and anti-CD3/CD28-activated CD4<sup>+</sup> thymocytes from <i>OTII:Rag2</i><sup>−/−</sup> or <i>Marilyn:Rag2</i><sup>−/−</sup> mice: data representative of 3 experiments. (C) LTα mRNA was quantified in CD4<sup>+</sup> thymocytes from <i>OTII:Rag2</i><sup>−/−</sup> mice co-cultured with unloaded (none) or OVAp-loaded mTECs: data representative of 2 experiments. (D) LTα mRNA was quantified in CD4<sup>+</sup> thymocytes from <i>OTII:Rag2</i><sup>−/−</sup> mice isolated 1.5 days after injection of PBS or OVAp: data representative of 3 experiments. (E) β-casein, CRP and RANK mRNAs were quantified in mTECs from WT, LTα<sup>−/−</sup> mice and <i>OTII:Rag2</i><sup>−/−</sup> mice 5 days after injection of PBS or OVAp. (F) LTα mRNA was quantified in DP and CD4<sup>+</sup> thymocytes from CD80/86<sup>−/−</sup> mice: means and SEM are derived from 2 experiments, each with 2 mice per group. (G) Graphs show distributions of medullary areas (mm<sup>2</sup>) in WT, CD80/86<sup>−/−</sup> and CD28<sup>−/−</sup> thymi (left), and thymi from DT-treated WT and Foxp3-DTR mice (right): significance relative to WT. (H) Positive selection induces CD40L and RANKL expression in thymocytes. After migrating into the medulla, CD4<sup>+</sup> thymocytes scan the surface of mTECs for the presence of auto-Ag–MHCII complexes. Ag-specific and CD28-CD80/86 dependent interactions between CD4<sup>+</sup> thymocytes and mTECs induce the expression of LT in CD4<sup>+</sup> thymocytes and RANK in mTECs, thereby completing the signaling axes required for promoting mTEC expansion and maturation.</p> induced;ag-specific;activation 2012-12-27
    https://plos.figshare.com/articles/figure/_LT_expression_is_induced_by_Ag_specific_activation_of_CD4_thymocytes_/187781
10.1371/journal.pone.0052591.g006