title: A Tale from TGF-β Superfamily for Thymus Ontogeny and Function.
abstract: Multiple signaling pathways control every aspect of cell behavior, organ formation, and tissue homeostasis throughout the lifespan of any individual. This review takes an ontogenetic view focused on the large superfamily of TGF-β/bone morphogenetic protein ligands to address thymus morphogenesis and function in T cell differentiation. Recent findings on a role of GDF11 for reversing aging-related phenotypes are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil ; Graduate Program in Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: Arnon Dias
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Jurberg
authors.affiliation: Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: Larissa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vasconcelos-Fontes
authors.affiliation: Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: Vinícius
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cotta-de-Almeida
keywords: BMP; T cell development; TGF-β; thymopoiesis; thymus