Investigating the regulation of Delta-like 4 in thymic epithelial cells

胸腺是产生T细胞的主要部位。这一功能的关键是胸腺上皮细胞(TECs)表面Delta样4(DLL4)基因产物的表达。尽管在T细胞发育中扮演着不可或缺的角色，但控制其表达的分子因素仍然很大程度上尚不清楚。虽然我们知道TECs必须保持在三维(3D)结构中才能成功表达DLL4，但我们不知道这是为什么，也不知道什么分子将3D结构与DLL4表达联系起来。我们的工作旨在了解3D胸腺微环境和TEC中正确的基因表达之间的联系。通过这样做，我们将更好地了解胸腺的功能，并提供可用于制造人造组织和器官的有价值的信息。

The thymus is the primary site responsible for the production of T-cells. Key to this function is the expression of the Delta-like 4 (Dll4) gene product on the surface of thymic epithelial cells (TECs). Despite playing an indispensable role in T-cell development, the molecular factors controlling its expression remain largely unexplored. While we know that the TECs must be maintained in a 3-dimensional (3D) structure to successfully express Dll4, we do not know why that is nor what molecules connect 3D structure to Dll4 expression. Our work aims to understand the link between the 3D thymic microenvironment and correct gene expression in TECs. In doing so, we will gain a better understanding of how the thymus functions and we will provide valuable information that can be used to create artificial tissues and organs.