Monash researchers discover immune system stem cells
In a world first, Monash University researchers have discovered immune system stem cells and have used them to grow a crucial part of the immune system - the thymus.
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The thymus is a small organ that is critical in generating many vital cells of the immune system, including infection-fighting T-cells. In some people the thymus does not work properly due to ageing, attack by viruses, chemotherapy or genetic abnormalities. When this happens, the body becomes susceptible to infection and death can result. But Associate Professor Richard Boyd and Dr Jason Gill from the Monash University Medical School have identified a small population of cells that can generate a complete and functional thymus. Their research has been published today in the prestigious international journal Nature Immunology. "A major question in immunology has been how to build a thymus," Associate Professor Boyd said. "There are two major parts to the thymus, lymphocytes and the epithelium. It has been known for about 30 years that haemopoetic stem cells lead to the lymphocytes but, until now, we have not known which cells lead to the creation of the epithelium." The thymus epithelium is vital in the immune response because it has the unique ability of converting haemopoetic stem cells to T-cells, Associate Professor Boyd said. It also controls the ability of T-cells to recognise foreign invaders and assists in stopping T-cells from attacking body tissues. If there is a defect in the thymus then there is a defect in the T-cells and a greater predisposition to disease. "The discovery of thymic epithelial stem cells is hugely exciting for us and has taken 15 years of dedicated research." Associate Professor Boyd said he hoped the research would eventually be used to repair or renew the thymus of people in whom it has been damaged. "There has been limited success with thymus transplants as they are invariably rejected by the recipient, but now we have the possibility of rebuilding someone's thymus after it has been destroyed or using gene therapy to correct gene mutations that lead to thymus problems," he said. Interviews: Associate Professor Richard Boyd on + 61 3 9903 0738 or 0419 317 533 or Dr Jason Gill on +61 3 9903 0746 or 0422 094 837. For further information contact Penny Fannin in the Media Communications Office on + 61 3 9905 5328 or 0412 213 994 |