The thymus and the immune system: layered levels of control - PubMed (original) (raw)

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The thymus and the immune system: layered levels of control

Diana K Lee et al. J Thorac Oncol. 2010 Oct.

Abstract

Control points of normal thymopoiesis may provide insights into strategies for interrupting cell interactions in thymomas which appear to maintain active T cell production. Thymus production of T cells represents one of two pathways by which peripheral T cell populations are maintained or, if lost, regenerated. The production of T cells by the thymus results from a series of thymus epithelial cell (TEC) - thymocyte interactions from entry of thymocyte precursors into the thymus to release of mature naïve single positive T cells into the periphery. Within this series of interactions, certain control points have been identified, all of which act through TEC to modulate thymopoiesis.

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Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1

Thymus independent and thymus dependent pathways for reestablishing T cell homeostasis differ between children and adults.

Figure 2

Figure 2

Thymus recovery is regulated at different points by factors such as IGF-1, androgen signaling and KGF.

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