Recent elucidation of the role of central tolerance in preventing organ-specific autoimmunity
has changed our concepts of self/nonself discrimination. This paradigmatic shift is largely …

The thymus is the primary organ responsible for generating functional T cells in vertebrates.
Although T cell differentiation within the thymus has been an area of intense investigation …

The distinguishing feature of adult stem cells is their extraordinary capacity to divide prior to
the onset of senescence. While stratified epithelia such as skin, prostate, and breast are …

Ageing is characterised by cellular senescence, leading to imbalanced tissue maintenance,
cell death and compromised organ function. This is first observed in the thymus, the primary …

In the thymus, diverse populations of thymic epithelial cells (TECs), including cortical and
medullary TECs and their subpopulations, have distinct roles in coordinating the …

The role of central tolerance induction has recently been revised after the discovery of
promiscuous expression of tissue-restricted self-antigens in the thymus. The extent of tissue …

Aging is associated with decreased immune function that leads to increased morbidity and
mortality in the elderly. Immune senescence is accompanied by age-related changes in two …

Epithelial tissue homeostasis is closely associated with the self-renewal and differentiation
behaviors of epithelial stem cells (ESCs). p63, a well-known marker of ESCs, is an …

The thymus provides an essential environment for the development of T cells from
haemopoietic progenitors. This environment is separated into cortical and medullary …

About two decades ago, cloning of the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene materialized one
of the most important actors on the scene of self-tolerance. Thymic transcription of genes …