Epithelial-cell architecture during involution of the human thymus.
One hundred thymus glands were assessed histologically as to their degree of involution. Epithelial cells were demonstrated by an immunoperoxidase method using a monoclonal antibody against cytokeratin. The distribution of these cells was studied in the medulla, the cortico-medullary junction, the cortical parenchyma and the subcapsular cortex. As involution proceeds, the loss of cells from the thymus is almost totally confined to the lymphoid-cell elements. The architecture of the epithelial-cell network remains largely intact although there is extensive collapse of the structure due to the loss of the intervening lymphocytes. Even when involution is apparently complete; sheets of epithelial cells can be demonstrated in the thymic remnant.
Henry
L
L
Department of Pathology, University of Sheffield Medical School, UK.
Anderson
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004848:Epithelium / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008214:Lymphocytes; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology*