Cellular and humoral immune alterations in thymectomized patients for thymoma

Lalle, M; Minellli, Mauro; Tarantini, Paola; Marino, Mirella; Cerasoli, Virna; Facciolo, Francesco; Iani, Cesare; Antimi, Mauro

doi:10.1007/s00277-008-0693-3

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 27 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The existence of CD34 pos lymphoid precursors endowed with the ability of differentiating in NK cells in vitro have been also reported in human thymus (31). However, patients either affected by the Di George syndrome (32) or undergone thymectomy (33, 34) and splenectomy (35) have normal frequencies of circulating NK cells, that are also phenotypically and functionally similar to those of healthy donors (30). For that reason, thymus as well as spleen are not considered major sites of NK cell ontogenesis.…”

Section: Tissue Sites Of Natural Killer Cell Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the Way to Become a Natural Killer Cell

2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Natural Killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes playing pivotal roles in host defense and immune-surveillance. The homeostatic modulation of germ-line encoded/non-rearranged activating and inhibitory NK cell receptors (NKRs) determines the capability of these innate lymphocytes to either spare “self” cells or to kill viral-infected, tumor-transformed and heterologous cell targets. However, despite being discovered more than 40 years ago, several aspects of NK cell biology remain unknown or are still being debated. In particular, our knowledge of human NK cell ontogenesis and differentiation is still in its infancy as the majority of our experimental evidence on this topic mainly comes from findings obtained in vitro or with animal models in vivo . Although both the generation and the maintenance of human NK cells are sustained by hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), the precise site(s) of NK cell development are still poorly defined. Indeed, HSCs and hematopoietic precursors are localized in different anatomical compartments that also change their ontogenic commitments before and after birth as well as in aging. Currently, the main site of NK cell generation and maturation in adulthood is considered the bone marrow, where their interactions with stromal cells, cytokines, growth factors, and other soluble molecules support and drive maturation. Different sequential stages of NK cell development have been identified on the basis of the differential expression of specific markers and NKRs as well as on the acquisition of specific effector-functions. All these phenotypic and functional features are key in inducing and regulating homing, activation and tissue-residency of NK cells in different human anatomic sites, where different homeostatic mechanisms ensure a perfect balance between immune tolerance and immune-surveillance. The present review summarizes our current knowledge on human NK cell ontogenesis and on the related pathways orchestrating a proper maturation, functions, and distributions.

show abstract

Section: Tissue Sites Of Natural Killer Cell Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the Way to Become a Natural Killer Cell

2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Patients with thymoma have been well documented to have impaired cellular and humoral immunity [ 16 ]. The thymus is the primary lymphoid organ where T lymphocytes undergo maturation [ 17 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The histopathological spectrum of kidney biopsies in patients with thymoma and myasthenia gravis: a report of 24 biopsies from a single institution

Takahashi

Miyauchi

Tatsumoto

et al. 2021

Clinical Kidney Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Nephropathy in patients with thymic diseases such as thymoma and myasthenia gravis (MG) is rare and has been described mostly as isolated case reports. Here we evaluate a series of kidney biopsies from patients with thymoma and/or MG from a single institution, in order to better define the spectrum and relative frequencies of thymic disease-associated nephropathies. Methods Case series. A retrospective study of 32,462 native kidney biopsies from January 2005 through December 2019 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA. Results Twenty-four biopsy specimens (0.07%) from patients with a history of thymoma and/or MG were identified. Two patients had repeat biopsies. The most common pathologic diagnosis which could be immunologically attributed to thymic disease was minimal change disease (MCD; 45%), followed by tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN; 14%), immune complex (IC)-mediated glomerulonephritis (9%), membranous nephropathy (5%), and IgA nephropathy (5%). Interestingly, 50% of the MCD and 67% of TIN cases concomitantly showed mild IgG-dominant immune complex deposition in mesangial areas and/or in tubular basement membranes. In the two patients with repeat biopsies, mild mesangial IC deposition developed in MCD but disappeared in the TIN patient with the second biopsy. Pathologic diagnoses unlikely related to the underlying thymic disease were diabetic glomerulosclerosis (9%), acute tubular necrosis (9%), and monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease (5%). Conclusion Thymic disease is associated with a wide spectrum of kidney diseases affecting the glomerular and tubulointerstitial compartments, often with low-grade IC deposition. These findings suggest a role of immunologic dysregulation in the pathogenesis of thymic disease-associated nephropathy.

show abstract

“…The average human and mouse thymus also contains class-switched membrane-IgG+ cells [ 88 , 89 , 90 ]. Using tissue specimens collected from subjects ranging in age from 5 days to 71 years, it was found that starting during the first year of life, CD138+ plasma cells begin accumulating in the thymic perivascular space where they constitutively produce IgG without the need for additional stimulation [ 91 ]. Most thymic IgG-secreting cells produced IgG3 and, to a lesser extent, IgG1.…”

Section: Role Of the Thymus In Humoral Immunity Against Coronavirusmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to fully differentiated plasma cells, it was also demonstrated that the thymus contained plasma blasts identified as CD19+ cells expressing IRF4, a key transcription factor driving the plasma cell fate [ 94 ]. Thymectomy, however, had a severe adverse effect on residual B lymphocytes: CD19+ B cells [ 91 ].…”

Section: Role Of the Thymus In Humoral Immunity Against Coronavirusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thymus Gland: A Double Edge Sword for Coronaviruses

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The thymus is the main lymphoid organ that regulates the immune and endocrine systems by controlling thymic cell proliferation and differentiation. The gland is a primary lymphoid organ responsible for generating mature T cells into CD4+ or CD8+ single-positive (SP) T cells, contributing to cellular immunity. Regarding humoral immunity, the thymic plasma cells almost exclusively secrete IgG1 and IgG3, the two main complement-fixing effector IgG subclasses. Deformity in the thymus can lead to inflammatory diseases. Hassall’s corpuscles’ epithelial lining produces thymic stromal lymphopoietin, which induces differentiation of CDs thymocytes into regulatory T cells within the thymus medulla. Thymic B lymphocytes produce immunoglobulins and immunoregulating hormones, including thymosin. Modulation in T cell and naive T cells decrement due to thymus deformity induce alteration in the secretion of various inflammatory factors, resulting in multiple diseases. Influenza virus activates thymic CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes and a large amount of IFNγ. IFNs limit virus spread, enhance macrophages’ phagocytosis, and promote the natural killer cell restriction activity against infected cells. Th2 lymphocytes-produced cytokine IL-4 can bind to antiviral INFγ, decreasing the cell susceptibility and downregulating viral receptors. COVID-19 epitopes (S, M, and N proteins) with ≥90% identity to the SARS-CoV sequence have been predicted. These epitopes trigger immunity for antibodies production. Boosting the immune system by improving thymus function can be a therapeutic strategy for preventing virus-related diseases. This review aims to summarize the endocrine-immunoregulatory functions of the thymus and the underlying mechanisms in the prevention of COVID-19.

show abstract

Cellular and humoral immune alterations in thymectomized patients for thymoma

Cited by 3 publications

References 27 publications

On the Way to Become a Natural Killer Cell

On the Way to Become a Natural Killer Cell

The histopathological spectrum of kidney biopsies in patients with thymoma and myasthenia gravis: a report of 24 biopsies from a single institution

Thymus Gland: A Double Edge Sword for Coronaviruses

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About