Researchers at the Boston Children’s Hospital have successfully grown functional thymus organoids from human stem cells, which can produce T cells and other immune cells. This achievement could have significant implications for patients with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV or undergoing chemotherapy.
The thymus is an organ located in the chest that is essential for the development and maturation of T cells, a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infections and cancer. However, the thymus gradually shrinks and loses function with age, making it less effective at producing T cells.
To address this problem, the researchers created thymus organoids by growing human pluripotent stem cells in a 3D culture system that mimics the environment of the developing thymus. The organoids contained all the major cell types found in the thymus, including thymic epithelial cells and T cells, and were able to produce functional T cells when transplanted into mice.
In addition to producing T cells, the thymus organoids also generated other immune cells, such as B cells and natural killer cells, suggesting that they could have broader applications beyond T cell production.
The researchers also tested the thymus organoids in a mouse model of a rare genetic disorder called DiGeorge syndrome, which affects the development of the thymus and results in a weakened immune system. When the organoids were transplanted into the mice, they were able to restore T cell production and improve the animals’ ability to fight off infections.
This study is not the first to create thymus organoids from stem cells, but it is the first to demonstrate their functionality and potential therapeutic applications. The researchers hope that their work will lead to the development of new treatments for immune system disorders.
Dr. Olivier Elemento, Director of the Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine said that the ability to generate thymic tissue from human stem cells has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of patients with a range of diseases, including those with HIV, rare genetic disorders, or those who require bone marrow transplantation. He was not involved in the study, however.
However, there are still several challenges to overcome before thymus organoids can be used clinically. One major hurdle is the need for a large number of functional T cells, which may require scaling up the production of the organoids or finding ways to stimulate T cell production within the organoids.
Despite these challenges, the researchers are optimistic about the potential of thymus organoids to improve patient outcomes.
Researchers at the Boston Children’s Hospital have found success in creating functional thymus organoids from human stem cells that can produce T cells and other immune cells. This breakthrough could have significant implications for the treatment of immune system disorders, although further research is needed to overcome several challenges before thymus organoids can be used clinically.
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