Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Primary Lymphoid Organs

Primary Lymphoid Organs

Primary lymphoid organs are pivotal in the formation, development, and maturation of lymphocytes, the white blood cells that serve as the backbone of our immune system. This crucial function underscores their fundamental role in maintaining our overall health and immunity. The two primary lymphoid organs of prime importance are the red bone marrow and the thymus.
The red bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue nestled in the interior of long bones such as the humerus and femur. It is the site...

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

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...

Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response

Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response

The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...

Development of Immunocompetence

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...

T Cell Types and Functions

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...

Functions of Thyroid Hormones

Functions of Thyroid Hormones

The thyroid hormone (TH) plays a pivotal role in the intricate orchestration of physiological processes, exerting profound effects on development, metabolism, and homeostasis throughout different life stages.
TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Early lymph node T follicular helper cell signalling hub drives influenza vaccine response in an ancestrally diverse cohort.

EBioMedicine·2025

Same author

International Consortium to Classify Ageing-related Pathologies (ICCARP) senescence definitions: achieving international consensus.

GeroScience·2025

Same author

Immunotherapy targeting the C-terminal domain of TDP-43 decreases neuropathology and confers neuroprotection in mouse models of ALS/FTD.

Neurobiology of disease·2023

Same author

Antifungal benzo[b]thiophene 1,1-dioxide IMPDH inhibitors exhibit pan-assay interference (PAINS) profiles.

Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry·2018

Same author

Nutritional Programming Effects on the Immune System.

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)·2018

Same author

Protein-inspired antibiotics active against vancomycin- and daptomycin-resistant bacteria.

Nature communications·2018

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Isolation and Transplantation of Different Aged Murine Thymic Grafts.

Isolation and Transplantation of Different Aged Murine Thymic Grafts.

Published on: May 13, 2015

Is thymocyte development functional in the aged?

Danielle Aw¹, Alberto B Silva, Donald B Palmer

¹Infection & Immunity and Genes & Development Group, Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, UK.

|February 17, 2010

Summary

Thymus aging leads to fewer, less functional T cells. This study suggests aged T cells may be impaired before leaving the thymus, contributing to immune decline in older adults.

Keywords:

T cells aging immunity thymocyte thymus

More Related Videos

Preparation and Applications of Organotypic Thymic Slice Cultures

Preparation and Applications of Organotypic Thymic Slice Cultures

Published on: August 6, 2016

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

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

Published on: July 26, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Isolation and Transplantation of Different Aged Murine Thymic Grafts.

Isolation and Transplantation of Different Aged Murine Thymic Grafts.

Published on: May 13, 2015

Preparation and Applications of Organotypic Thymic Slice Cultures

Preparation and Applications of Organotypic Thymic Slice Cultures

Published on: August 6, 2016

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

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
Gerontology
Cellular Biology

Background:

T cells are crucial for immune function, with most originating in the thymus.
Thymic involution (regression) is a hallmark of aging (immunosenescence).
Despite thymic shrinkage, T cell production continues into old age, though diminished.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate potential intrinsic defects in T cell development within the aged thymus.
To explore whether thymic T cell output in the elderly is functionally impaired.
To discuss the contribution of flawed T cells to age-related immune dysfunction.

Main Methods:

Analysis of thymocyte development and T cell output in aged models.
Functional assessment of recent thymic emigrants from aged versus young thymuses.
Review of existing literature on thymic aging and T cell function.

Main Results:

Aged thymuses produce fewer T cells.
Recent thymic emigrants from aged individuals show reduced functional responsiveness.
Evidence suggests T cell defects may originate within the thymus itself.

Conclusions:

T cell generation may be intrinsically impaired in the elderly.
Flawed T cells emigrating from the aged thymus could drive immune decline.
Understanding these pre-peripheral defects is key to addressing immunosenescence.