Evidence for thymic function in the elderly.
The thymus represents the major site of lymphopoiesis of T-cell receptor (TCR) alphabeta T-cells. Age-related involution may affect its potential to reconstitute T-cells that are lost during HIV infection, chemotherapy, and bone marrow transplantation. However, there is mounting evidence that the age-related changes in the thymus are quantitative, not qualitative, and recent data suggest that the adult thymus can indeed contribute to T-cell reconstitution. Using newer methods to assess thymic function, it can be shown that the increases in naïve T-cell numbers in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy for AIDS are largely derived from the thymus. This provides direct evidence for the functional capacity of the adult thymus.
Douek
D C
DC
Departments of Internal Medicine and Microbiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75235-9113, USA.
Koup
R A
RA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D015329:Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013934:Thymectomy; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology*
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents