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The Effect of Aging on Tissues01:19

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...

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Isolation and Transplantation of Different Aged Murine Thymic Grafts.
05:47

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Published on: May 13, 2015

Phenotypical and morphological changes in the thymic microenvironment from ageing mice.

Danielle Aw1, Frances Taylor-Brown, Kate Cooper

  • 1Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, NW1 0TU, UK.

Biogerontology
|October 22, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Aging thymus involution is linked to changes in its microenvironment. Studies show age-dependent declines in thymic epithelial cell markers and altered morphology, suggesting a role in reduced immunity.

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Last Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Isolation and Transplantation of Different Aged Murine Thymic Grafts.
05:47

Isolation and Transplantation of Different Aged Murine Thymic Grafts.

Published on: May 13, 2015

Preparation of Single-Cell Suspension of Mouse Thymic Epithelial Cells and Staining of Intracellular Molecules for Flow Cytometric Analysis
09:41

Preparation of Single-Cell Suspension of Mouse Thymic Epithelial Cells and Staining of Intracellular Molecules for Flow Cytometric Analysis

Published on: July 26, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Aging Research
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The thymus is vital for T-cell production, and its age-related shrinkage (involution) contributes to declining immunity in older adults.
  • The precise mechanisms driving thymic involution remain unclear, but alterations within the thymic microenvironment are suspected.
  • Understanding thymic involution is critical for addressing age-related immune deficiencies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate age-associated changes in the thymic microenvironment.
  • To quantify alterations in markers of cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells during aging.
  • To explore the relationship between thymic microenvironment morphology and thymic involution.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze in situ changes in thymic epithelial cell markers.
  • Quantitative analysis of marker expression was performed on thymic tissue from mice of different ages.
  • Three-dimensional analysis was employed to assess the morphological changes in the thymic microenvironment.

Main Results:

  • An age-dependent decrease in markers for cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells was observed.
  • Notch and Delta signaling pathway components showed increased expression in older mice.
  • Alterations in typical staining patterns and changes in the three-dimensional morphology of the thymic microenvironment were evident.

Conclusions:

  • Age-associated alterations in the thymic microenvironment, including changes in epithelial cell markers and morphology, are present.
  • These microenvironmental changes likely contribute to the process of thymic involution.
  • The findings provide insights into the mechanisms underlying age-related immune decline.