4.5 Review

Thymic function in the regulation of T cells, and molecular mechanisms underlying the modulation of cytokines and stress signaling (Review)

Journal

MOLECULAR MEDICINE REPORTS
Volume 16, Issue 5, Pages 7175-7184

Publisher

SPANDIDOS PUBL LTD
DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.7525

Keywords

thymic function; T cells; molecular mechanisms; cytokines; stress signaling

Funding

  1. Young Scientists Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China [81403395]
  2. Traditional Chinese Medicine Bureau of Guangdong Province [(2014) 539]
  3. Specific Research Fund for TCM Science and Technology of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine [YN2015QN09, YN2016QJ11, YN2015QN12]

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The thymus is critical in establishing and maintaining the appropriate microenvironment for promoting the development and selection of T cells. The function and structure of the thymus gland has been extensively studied, particularly as the thymus serves an important physiological role in the lymphatic system. Numerous studies have investigated the morphological features of thymic involution. Recently, research attention has increasingly been focused on thymic proteins as targets for drug intervention. Omics approaches have yielded novel insights into the thymus and possible drug targets. The present review addresses the signaling and transcriptional functions of the thymus, including the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulatory functions of T cells and their role in the immune system. In addition, the levels of cytokines secreted in the thymus have a significant effect on thymic functions, including thymocyte migration and development, thymic atrophy and thymic recovery. Furthermore, the regulation and molecular mechanisms of stress-mediated thymic atrophy and involution were investigated, with particular emphasis on thymic function as a potential target for drug development and discovery using proteomics.

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