Evidence for a functional second thymus in mice

G Terszowski, SM Müller, CC Bleul, C Blum… - Science, 2006 - science.org
G Terszowski, SM Müller, CC Bleul, C Blum, R Schirmbeck, J Reimann, LD Pasquier
Science, 2006science.org
The thymus organ supports the development of T cells and is located in the thorax. Here, we
report the existence of a second thymus in the mouse neck, which develops after birth and
grows to the size of a small lymph node. The cervical thymus had a typical medulla-cortex
structure, was found to support T cell development, and could correct T cell deficiency in
athymic nude mice upon transplantation. The identification of a regular second thymus in the
mouse may provide evolutionary links to thymus organogenesis in other vertebrates and …
The thymus organ supports the development of T cells and is located in the thorax. Here, we report the existence of a second thymus in the mouse neck, which develops after birth and grows to the size of a small lymph node. The cervical thymus had a typical medulla-cortex structure, was found to support T cell development, and could correct T cell deficiency in athymic nude mice upon transplantation. The identification of a regular second thymus in the mouse may provide evolutionary links to thymus organogenesis in other vertebrates and suggests a need to reconsider the effect of thoracic thymectomy on de novo T cell production.
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