Developmental aspects of the thymus in aging

• Published in: Advances in Cell Aging and Gerontology Vol. 13; pp. 47 - 78
• Main Author: Globerson, Amiela
• Format: Book Chapter Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Netherlands Elsevier B.V 2002; Elsevier Science & Technology
• Subjects: Geriatric medicine; Immunology; Maturation & ageing; BM bone marrow; RAG recombinase activating gene; ER estrogen receptor; TREC T cell receptor excision circles; GRP gastrin-releasing peptide; GH growth hormone; NPY neuropeptide Y; Gx gonadectomized; WT wild type; E2 17 beta estradiol; mAb monoclonal antibody; NA noradrenaline; SDF stromal derived factor; SSR somatostatin receptor; LH–RH luteinizing hormone–releasing hormone; TCR T cell receptor; DP double positive (CD4+CD8+); CK cytokeratin; KO knockout; SS somatostatin; SPG sucrose phosphate glyoxylic acid; DN double negative (CD4−CD8−); PBL peripheral blood lymphocytes; CCK-8s sulfated cholecystokinin octapeptide; FTOC fetal thymus organ culture; TEC thymic epithelial cells; IGF insulin-like growth factor; GC glucocorticoids; AchE acetylcholinesterase; NK natural killer; HT serotonin

Thymic involution has been envisaged as an irreversible decline that accounts for the major manifestations of immunosenescence. However, more recent studies have demonstrated that the thymus is not subject to total deterioration. Thymic involution is subject to hormonal control, and can be modulated...