MRAP mediated adipocyte differentiation by thymic mesenchymal stromal cells contributes to thymic involution

Adipocyte deposition is believed to be a primary characteristic of age-related thymic involution, but the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain unknown. We show here that thymic mesenchymal stromal cells (tMSCs) have a higher tendency to differentiate into adipocytes and melanocortin-2 receptor accessory protein (MRAP) is a potential driver of tMSCs adipogenesis. Furthermore, we discover that thymosin-α1 promotes MRAP expression in tMSCs through FoxO1 signaling pathway. Additionally, the proportion of tMSCs increase in older mice compared to young mice. Importantly, MRAP is also necessary for human thymic MSCs to differentiate into adipocytes when exposed to thymosin-α1. Single-cell RNA-seq analysis of human thymus revealed an accumulation of tMSCs and adipocytes during aging, indicating a strong potential for adipogenic differentiation in age-related thymic involution. Thus, we have revealed MRAP as a key factor in promoting thymic MSCs adipogenesis triggered by thymosin-α1 and FoxO1 pathway, which may serve as potential target to hinder adiposity in age-related thymic involution.