The role of sex steroids and gonadectomy in the control of thymic involution

Melanie Natasha Hince, Samy Sakkal, Katerina Vlahos, Jarrod Andrew Dudakov, Richard Lennox Boyd, Ann Patricia Chidgey

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

    101 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    A major underlying cause for aging of the immune system is the structural and functional atrophy of the thymus, and associated decline in T cell genesis. This loss of naive T cells reduces adaptive immunity to new stimuli and precipitates a peripheral bias to memory cells against prior antigens. Whilst multiple mechanisms may contribute to this process, the temporal alliance of thymic decline with puberty has implicated a causative role for sex steroids. Accordingly ablation of sex steroids induces profound thymic rejuvenation. Although the thymus retains some, albeit highly limited, function in healthy adults, this is insufficient for resurrecting the T cell pool following cytoablative treatments such as chemo- and radiation-therapy and AIDS. Increased risk of opportunistic infections and cancer relapse or appearance, are a direct consequence. Temporary sex steroid ablation may thus provide a clinically effective means to regenerate the thymus and immune system in immunodeficiency states.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)122 - 138
    Number of pages17
    JournalCellular Immunology
    Volume252
    Issue number1-2
    Publication statusPublished - 2008

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