Thymocyte composition and method for preparing it
A method for differentiating pluripotent stem cells into thymocytes using encapsulation and specific growth factors addresses the need for thymocyte-based therapies by enhancing FOXN1 expression and supporting thymic organoid development for immune cell maturation and therapeutic applications.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025558587
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-04-05
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing thymocyte-based therapies fail to replicate and mimic the natural environment of the thymus, necessitating the development of compositions and methods that can effectively generate thymocytes and thymic organoids to support immune cell maturation and function.
A method is provided for differentiating pluripotent stem cells into thymocytes by encapsulating them in polymers, such as alginate and gelatin A hydrogel, and culturing them with specific growth factors and inhibitors to produce thymic epithelial precursor and epithelial cells, which can be further cultured in suspension or adhesion to form thymic organoids.
The method enhances the expression of FOXN1 and supports the development of functional thymocytes, enabling the creation of thymic organoids that can be used to treat conditions related to thymus deficiencies, including immunodeficiency, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and graft-versus-host disease.