The golden anniversary of the thymus

Nat Rev Immunol. 2011 May 27;11(7):489-95. doi: 10.1038/nri2993.

Abstract

The immunological function of the thymus was first documented 50 years ago by using neonatally thymectomized mice, while studying its role in virus-induced leukaemia. Since then, an enormous wealth of reports has helped to define the importance of this primary lymphoid organ. In this article, I summarize the key advances that have led to our current knowledge of the functions of the thymus and its T cells in immunity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Biomedical Research / trends
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Cell Movement / immunology
  • Leukemia / immunology
  • Leukemia / virology
  • Mice
  • Models, Immunological
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Thymectomy
  • Thymus Gland / cytology
  • Thymus Gland / immunology*
  • Thymus Gland / surgery
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell