[NTR] tuft cell of thymus

[Caroline-99]

Please check that the term does not already exist by using the ontology search tool OLS:
https://www.ebi.ac.uk/ols4/ontologies/cl

Preferred term label
tuft cell of thymus

Synonyms (add reference(s), please)
thymic tuft cell (PMID:30904566)
tuft cell of thymic epithelium

Definition (free text, with reference(s), please. PubMed ID format is PMID:XXXXXX)

A tuft cell that is part of the medullary epithelium of the thymus, is characterized by lateral microvilli and specific markers such as L1CAM and MHC II. This cell plays key roles in immune functions like antigen presentation, central tolerance, and type 2 immunity. It shares traits with both medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) and peripheral tuft cells, and its development is regulated by transcription factors such as Pou2f3 and Sox4.

PMID: 30904566
PMID: 36961668

Comments

A thymic tuft cell is a subset of terminally differentiated medullary thymic epithelial cell (mTEC) comprising 5-10% of total mTECs. While lineage-tracing studies suggest it arises from mature MHCII⁺⁺ mTECs, it can develop via Aire-dependent and independent pathways, though its exact origins remain unclear. (PMID: 30904566)

Parent cell type term (check the hierarchy here https://www.ebi.ac.uk/ols4/ontologies/cl)
tuft cell
medullary thymic epithelial cell

Anatomical structure where the cell type is found (check Uberon for anatomical structures: https://www.ebi.ac.uk/ols4/ontologies/uberon)

thymic epithelium
part of some medulla of thymus

thymic medullary epithelium uberon term is needed.

Your ORCID

Additional notes or concerns

This term will be linked to GO term cytospinule when it becomes available.

[dosumis]

Link to GO term: antigen processing and presentation of endogenous peptide antigen via MHC class II