FGF21 induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress maintains medullary thymic epithelial cell function and central immune tolerance

Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) establish central immune tolerance by expressing diverse tissue-restricted antigens and eliminating self-reactive thymocytes. Here, we show that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), although predominantly produced in the liver, is also expressed locally by mature mTECs and contributes to central tolerance. Fgf21 -deficient mice exhibited exacerbated peripheral autoimmune responses. FGF21 supported the number and function of mTECs and promoted clonal deletion in cooperation with thymic dendritic cells. In mature mTECs, endoplasmic reticulum stress induced FGF21 expression through unfolded protein response pathways, with FGF21 acting preferentially within the mature mTEC compartment as a stress-responsive metabolic regulator downstream of the integrated stress response. By limiting sustained stress and preserving protein homeostasis, FGF21 maintained mTEC integrity and central tolerance. These findings identify FGF21 as a key regulator of thymic immune homeostasis and as a potential therapeutic target for autoimmune disease.