Thymic Epithelial Cells: Relatives of Multipotent Stem Cells of the Skin

This study explored the potential relationship between thymic epithelial (TE) cells and multipotent stem cells of the skin. Researchers conducted clonal analysis and functional assays on rat primary TE cells, demonstrating that both embryonic and postnatal TE cells exhibited clonogenic growth patterns in vitro. The study found that TE cells shared morphological, phenotypic, and functional characteristics with skin multipotent stem cells. When tested in vivo, the clonal progeny of a single TE cell could integrate into a functional thymus or differentiate into skin derivatives such as the epidermis, hair follicles, and sebaceous glands. However, skin cells were unable to contribute to thymic reconstitution. This research suggested a possible link between TE cells and skin stem cells, which could provide insights into diseases affecting both the thymus and skin.