Thymulin and the neuroendocrine system.
Thymulin is a thymic hormone exclusively produced by the thymic epithelial cells. It consists of a nonapeptide component coupled to the ion zinc, which confers biological activity to this molecule. After its discovery in the early 1970, thymulin was characterized as a thymic hormone involved in several aspects of intra- and extrathymic T-cell differentiation. Subsequently, it was demonstrated that thymulin production and secretion is strongly influenced by the neuroendocrine system. Conversely, an emerging core of information points to thymulin as a hypophysotropic peptide. Here we review the evidence supporting the hypothesis that thymulin is an important player in the hypophyso-thymic axis.
Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Biochemical Research at La Plata-Histology B, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina. rgoya@netverk.com.ar
Rodolfo G
RG
Goya
Oscar A
OA
Brown
Jean-Marie
JM
Pléau
Mireille
M
Dardenne
D000818:Animals; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000737:chemistry*; D013935:Thymic Factor, Circulating / Q000378:metabolism*
D013935:Thymic Factor, Circulating