Thymus: Conservation in evolution.
From an evolutionary point of view, the thymus is a new organ observed for the first time in fish concomitantly with the appearance of adaptive clonotypical immunity. Hormone and neuropeptide expression was demonstrated in different species suggesting a conserved role of these molecules. An integrated evolution of immune and neuroendocrine responses appears to have been realized by means of the re-use of ancestral material, such as neuroendocrine cells and mediators, to create a thymic microenvironment for the maturation and differentiation of T cells.
Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
Antonella
A
Franchini
Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. Electronic address: enzo.ottaviani@unimore.it.
Enzo
E
Ottaviani
D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D006801:Humans; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*
Apoptosis; Evolution; POMC-derived peptides; Thymus