Restoration of T-cell homeostasis after T-cell depletion

Crystal L. Mackall, Frances T. Hakim, Ronald E. Gress

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

171 Scopus citations

Abstract

T-cell homeostasis appears to be maintained throughout much of normal adult life independent of de-novo production 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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)339-346
Number of pages8
JournalSeminars in immunology
Volume9
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1997

Keywords

  • Immune reconstitution
  • Immunocompetence
  • T-cell depletion
  • Thymus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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