TY - JOUR
T1 - Age- and disease-related decline in immune function
T2 - An opportunity for "Thymus-Boosting" therapies
AU - Berthiaume, François
AU - Aparicio, Carlos L.
AU - Eungdamrong, John
AU - Yarmush, Martin L.
PY - 1999
Y1 - 1999
N2 - The thymus is the site of production of mature T lymphocytes and thus is indispensable for the development and maintenance of the T cell-mediated arm of the immune system. Thymic production of mature T cells is critically dependent on an influx of bone marrow-derived progenitor T cells that undergo replication and selection within the thymus. Thymus cellularity and thymic hormone secretion reach a peak during the first year of life and then decline gradually until the age of 50-60 years, a process known as "thymic involution." A rapid reduction of thymus cellularity occurs in young patients following injuries, chemotherapy, and other forms of stress. The mechanisms underlying the involution process appear to be dependent on factors intrinsic to the thymic tissue, such as the local production of cytokines and chemoattractants, promoting the recruitment, growth, and differentiation of bone marrow-derived T cell progenitors in the thymus, as well as extrinsic factors, such as systemic levels of endocrine hormones and mediators released by intrathymic nerves of the autonomous nervous system. Knowledge of these factors provides a rational basis for the development of an approach based on tissue engineering that could be used to provide either temporary or permanent reconstitution of thymic function.
AB - The thymus is the site of production of mature T lymphocytes and thus is indispensable for the development and maintenance of the T cell-mediated arm of the immune system. Thymic production of mature T cells is critically dependent on an influx of bone marrow-derived progenitor T cells that undergo replication and selection within the thymus. Thymus cellularity and thymic hormone secretion reach a peak during the first year of life and then decline gradually until the age of 50-60 years, a process known as "thymic involution." A rapid reduction of thymus cellularity occurs in young patients following injuries, chemotherapy, and other forms of stress. The mechanisms underlying the involution process appear to be dependent on factors intrinsic to the thymic tissue, such as the local production of cytokines and chemoattractants, promoting the recruitment, growth, and differentiation of bone marrow-derived T cell progenitors in the thymus, as well as extrinsic factors, such as systemic levels of endocrine hormones and mediators released by intrathymic nerves of the autonomous nervous system. Knowledge of these factors provides a rational basis for the development of an approach based on tissue engineering that could be used to provide either temporary or permanent reconstitution of thymic function.
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U2 - 10.1089/ten.1999.5.499
DO - 10.1089/ten.1999.5.499
M3 - Article
C2 - 10611542
AN - SCOPUS:0032765086
SN - 1076-3279
VL - 5
SP - 499
EP - 514
JO - Tissue Engineering
JF - Tissue Engineering
IS - 6
ER -