title: An overview of the necessary thymic contributions to tolerance in transplantation.
abstract: The thymus is important for the development of the immune system. However, aging leads to predictable involution of the thymus and immunodeficiency. These immunodeficiencies may be rectified with thymic rejuvenation. Atrophy of the thymus is governed by a complex interplay of molecular, cytokine and hormonal factors. Herein we review the interaction of these factors across age and how they may be targeted for thymic rejuvenation. We further discuss the growing pre-clinical evidence defining the necessary and sufficient contributions of the thymus to successful tolerance induction in transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland, United States. Electronic address: jscalea@som.umaryland.edu.
authors.forename: Joseph R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Scalea
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Virginia, United States.
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Hickman
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, United States.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Virginia, United States; Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, United States.
authors.forename: Kenneth L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Brayman