Abstract
Immunofluorescence analysis of thymic tissue sections is an indispensable technique for visualizing spatial relationships among thymocyte and stromal cell subsets. The thymus is organized into distinct microenvironmental zones in which particular thymic epithelial cell (TEC) subsets support specific stages of thymocyte maturation. Conversely, thymocytes and lymphoid tissue inducer cells support functional maturation of TECs. The composition and organization of TECs change during ontogeny to generate a maximally functional organ in the young adult. Deterioration of thymic architecture and stromal organization occurs with age as the thymus undergoes involution. Such changes can be monitored by immunofluorescent staining of thymic sections obtained at different ages throughout the life-span. Here we describe methods to generate frozen or paraffin-embedded thymic tissue sections for multicolor immunofluorescence staining using antibodies to surface and/or cytoplasmic antigens.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | T-Cell Development |
Subtitle of host publication | Methods and Protocols |
Publisher | Springer New York |
Pages | 75-85 |
Number of pages | 11 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781493928095 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781493928088 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 20 2015 |
Keywords
- Immunofluorescence
- Thymic epithelial cells
- Thymic microenvironment
- Thymocytes
- Thymus
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine
- General Immunology and Microbiology