Ultrastructure of the involuting thymus in mice.
The study was intended to research the changes in the fine structure of thymus in old mice. The research were made in 3 strains of mice (Swiss, Porton and C 57 BL). In the stroma of the senile thymus takes place--full disappearance of mesenchymal reticular cells, as well as the considerable reduction of thymocytes, which were digested by macrophages. In the involuted thymus a large number of plasma cells and lymphoblasts were present. The author suggest the hypothesis that involution has an immunologic character.
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008264:Macrophages / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure*