The role of eosinophils in the neonatal murine thymus; Expression of Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase

• Author / Creator

  Cravetchi, Olga Vladimir

• Rationale: Eosinophils are “end cell” leucocytes, associated with allergy, asthma and helminthiasis. At sites of inflammation, eosinophils may modulate immune response through expression of the extra-hepatic tryptophan-catabolising enzyme, Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO). Kynurenines, products of tryptophan cleavage, induce apoptosis of T-cells, including thymocytes. Eosinophils naturally home to the thymi in mammals. Thymus is a primary lymphoid organ, where T-cells develop and undergo selection. My hypothesis is that eosinophils homing to the thymi participate in T-cell development through their expression of IDO. Methods: Immunohistochemistry revealed eosinophils in thymic tissue. Immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry were used to locate IDO protein expression in the thymus particularly in thymic eosinophils. RT-PCR and real-time PCR determined the presence of IDO mRNA in the thymus. Results: thymic eosinophils express IDO and infiltrate compartments associated with negative selection. The highest IDO transcription correlated with the influx of eosinophils and prevalence of immature thymocytes.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Eosinophil
  • Thymocyte selection
  • Tryptophan catabolism
  • Thymus
  • Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase

• Graduation date

  Fall 2009

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3MD3Q

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.