Galpha13 mediates a signal that is essential for proliferation and survival of thymocyte progenitors

J Exp Med. 2004 Nov 15;200(10):1315-24. doi: 10.1084/jem.20040944. Epub 2004 Nov 8.

Abstract

G protein signaling via the Galpha12 family (Galpha12 and Galpha13) has not been well studied in T cells. To investigate whether Galpha12 and Galpha13 are involved in thymopoiesis, we expressed the regulator of G protein signaling domain of p115RhoGEF to inhibit Galpha12 and Galpha13 during thymopoiesis. Fetal thymus organ cultures seeded with p115DeltaDH-expressing progenitor cells showed impaired thymopoiesis with a block at the CD4-CD8-CD44-CD25+ (DN3) stage. Using Galpha13 or Galpha12 minigenes, we demonstrated that Galpha13, but not Galpha12, is required for thymopoiesis. T progenitor cells expressing p115DeltaDH showed reduced proliferation and increased cell death. T cell receptor stimulation of the fetal thymus organ cultures did not rescue the block. Overexpression of the antiapoptotic gene Bcl2 rescued the defect in DN3 cells and partially rescued T cell development. Therefore, Galpha13-mediated signaling is necessary in early thymocyte proliferation and survival.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Flow Cytometry
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, G12-G13 / metabolism
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, G12-G13 / physiology*
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • Thymus Gland / cytology*
  • Thymus Gland / physiology

Substances

  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, G12-G13