thymic-factor--circulating and DiGeorge-Syndrome

Recent immunological research has concentrated on the complex and subtle interactions between T cells, B cells and accessory cells. In these studies, little attention has been given to the adult thymus gland. Modern textbooks of disease and anatomy all stress that the gland undergoes fatty involution with age in man but omit reference to the statements here and there in the literature that the gland is active and produces lymphocytes throughout life. To suggest that the bone marrow, which also builds up fat throughout life, is atrophic and not important to adult man would deny all modern hematological concepts. Yet few people today take a parallel view of the thymus except perhaps those investigating aging and thymic hormones. In both of these areas of research it is obvious that the thymus must be active throughout life for continued good health. This brief review urges that a thorough understanding of the vital importance of the thymus in adult life is now needed. From it could emerge a new philosophy on the treatment of immune diseases in both the young (SCID and AIDS patients) and in the aged (autoimmune conditions and cancers) and it would aid our treatment of patients recovering from illness and from many drug treatments.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Aging; Animals; Cell Cycle; Cell Movement; DiGeorge Syndrome; Hematopoiesis; Humans; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Organ Size; T-Lymphocytes; Thymic Factor, Circulating; Thymus Gland; Thymus Hormones; Time Factors

Topics: Animals; Antigens, Surface; Cattle; Cyclic AMP; DiGeorge Syndrome; Guinea Pigs; Hormones; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; In Vitro Techniques; Infant, Newborn; Mice; Mice, Nude; Peptide Fragments; Rabbits; Rats; Swine; T-Lymphocytes; Thymalfasin; Thymectomy; Thymic Factor, Circulating; Thymopentin; Thymopoietins; Thymosin; Thymus Gland; Thymus Hormones

Topics: Adolescent; Biomarkers; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Child; Child, Preschool; DiGeorge Syndrome; Female; Humans; Infant; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Thymic Factor, Circulating; Thymus Gland

A Hispanic infant girl with DiGeorge syndrome underwent successful bone marrow transplantation (BMT) at age 28 1/2 weeks. She had typical facies, a cardiac defect, hypoparathyroidism, severe T and B cell immunodeficiency, and low levels of facteur thymique serique (FTS). In vitro incubation of the peripheral blood lymphocytes with thymosin alpha 1 showed no increase in the number of T cells on two occasions. A fetal thymus for transplantation was not available, and further review of past experience with thymic cells or factors revealed inconsistent and incomplete responses. Because of the patient's worsening clinical and immunologic status, BMT was performed, with her histocompatible brother as donor. The patient has had a good clinical and immunologic response to BMT, with evidence of T cell engraftment, improved B cell function, and increased levels of serum FTS. This experience indicates that minimal thymic influence is necessary for successful BMT and that patients with DiGeorge syndrome with significant T cell deficiency may benefit from this treatment.

Topics: Adult; Age Factors; B-Lymphocytes; Bone Marrow; Bone Marrow Transplantation; DiGeorge Syndrome; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Infant, Newborn; Leukocyte Count; Male; T-Lymphocytes; Thymalfasin; Thymic Factor, Circulating; Thymosin

Topics: DiGeorge Syndrome; Epithelium; Epitopes; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Humans; Immunodiffusion; Immunosorbent Techniques; Prealbumin; Thymic Factor, Circulating; Thymus Gland; Thymus Hormones

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Child, Preschool; DiGeorge Syndrome; Female; Humans; IgA Deficiency; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Middle Aged; Phytohemagglutinins; Rosette Formation; Thymic Factor, Circulating; Thymus Hormones

Topics: Animals; Candidiasis, Chronic Mucocutaneous; Cattle; Cell Differentiation; DiGeorge Syndrome; Epithelium; Humans; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Mice; T-Lymphocytes; Thymic Factor, Circulating; Thymopoietins; Thymosin; Thymus Gland; Thymus Hormones; Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome; Zinc

Topics: DiGeorge Syndrome; Fetus; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Infant; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Rosette Formation; Thymic Factor, Circulating; Thymus Gland; Transplantation, Homologous