Restoration of T-cell homeostasis after T-cell depletion

CL Mackall, FT Hakim, RE Gress - Seminars in immunology, 1997 - Elsevier
CL Mackall, FT Hakim, RE Gress
Seminars in immunology, 1997Elsevier
T-cell homeostasis appears to be maintained throughout much of normal adult life
independent ofde-novoproduction from hematopoietic stem cells via thymopoiesis. Instead,
peripheral mechanisms are generally sufficient to maintain normal T-cell number, function
and adequate TCR repertoire diversity in healthy hosts. Studies of T-cell regeneration in
animals, however, have shown that full restoration of T-cell homeostasis after profound T-
cell depletion is primarily dependent upon thymopoiesis. In this setting, thymic-deficient …
T-cell homeostasis appears to be maintained throughout much of normal adult life independent ofde-novoproduction from hematopoietic stem cells via thymopoiesis. Instead, peripheral mechanisms are generally sufficient to maintain normal T-cell number, function and adequate TCR repertoire diversity in healthy hosts. Studies of T-cell regeneration in animals, however, have shown that full restoration of T-cell homeostasis after profound T-cell depletion is primarily dependent upon thymopoiesis. In this setting, thymic-deficient hosts have prolonged reductions in total T-cell number, restricted TCR repertoire diversity, and limited immunocompetence. In humans, age-related reductions in thymic regenerative capacity as early as young adulthood result in incomplete restoration of T-cell homeostasis after T-cell depletion.
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