Thymic Atrophy: Experimental Studies and Therapeutic Interventions

Majumdar, S and Nandi, D (2018) Thymic Atrophy: Experimental Studies and Therapeutic Interventions. In: SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, 87 (1). pp. 4-14.

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Abstract

The thymus is essential for T cell development and maturation. It is extremely sensitive to atrophy, wherein loss in cellularity of the thymus and/or disruption of the thymic architecture occur. This may lead to lower naive T cell output and limited TCR diversity. Thymic atrophy is often associated with ageing. What is less appreciated is that proper functioning of the thymus is critical for reduction in morbidity and mortality associated with various clinical conditions including infections and transplantation. Therefore, therapeutic interventions which possess thymopoietic potential and lower thymic atrophy are required. These treatments enhance thymic output, which is a vital factor in generating favourable outcomes in clinical conditions. In this review, experimental studies on thymic atrophy in rodents and clinical cases where the thymus atrophies are discussed. In addition, mechanisms leading to thymic atrophy during ageing as well as during various stress conditions are reviewed. Therapies such as zinc supplementation, IL7 administration, leptin treatment, keratinocyte growth factor administration and sex steroid ablation during thymic atrophy involving experiments in animals and various clinical scenarios are reviewed. Interventions that have been used across different scenarios to reduce the extent of thymic atrophy and enhance its output are discussed. This review aims to speculate on the roles of combination therapies, which by acting additively or synergistically may further alleviate thymic atrophy and boost its function, thereby strengthening cellular T cell responses.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
Publisher:	10.1111/sji.12618
Additional Information:	Copy right for this article belongs to the WILEY, 111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ USA
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Biochemistry
Date Deposited:	20 Jan 2018 06:35
Last Modified:	20 Jan 2018 06:35
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/58814

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