The thymus involutes over time and is generally considered to be non-functional in adults. If this is the case, T-cell depletion in adult HIV-1 disease would in part be due to insufficient intrathymic production. This review summarizes information relevant to the structure and function of the thymus under normal conditions and in the setting of infection with HIV-1. The speculation is raised: could residual thymic reserve be present in some adults and be inducible during pathophysiological states of T-cell depletion? If so, the contribution of thymopoiesis during adult HIV-1 disease may be more significant than otherwise assumed.
Copyright 1997 Academic Press Limited.