Abstract: Thymus provides the complex microenvironment which is crucially required for T-cell development and establishing the immune self-tolerance of T cells. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs),which are composed of cortical and medullary TECs and arise from the third pharyngeal pouch,play an important role for this tightly regulated process of T cell development and maturation. Studies on the formation of a 3-dimensional thymic construction, migration of thymocytes and their precursors,and molecular events involving in thymus organogenesis will contribute better understanding the process of thymus development and offer important insights for preventing /treating thymusrelevant immune disorders.

Key words: Thymus, Thymic epithelial cells

摘要： 胸腺为T细胞的发育、分化成熟及功能的获得提供重要而复杂的微环境。在胸腺微环境的作用下,T细胞发育成具有自身免疫耐受及MHC限制性的成熟淋巴细胞。T细胞分化成熟过程需要胸腺细胞与起源于胚胎第3咽囊的胸腺上皮细胞(Thymic epithelial cells,TECs)的相互作用。对胸腺器官三维组织结构的建立、胸腺前体细胞的迁入及胸腺的发育等过程的认识,有助于我们对胸腺器官形成的理解,也为胸腺发育缺陷相关疾病的预防及治疗提供重要依据。

关键词: 胸腺, 胸腺上皮细胞, 胸腺细胞, 发育