Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

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...
Primary Lymphoid Organs01:16

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...
Hypothyroidism II: Pathophysiology01:23

Hypothyroidism II: Pathophysiology

Hypothyroidism is a disorder characterized by insufficient production of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, energy balance, and multiple organ systems.TypesHypothyroidism is classified based on the level of dysfunction. Primary hypothyroidism results from intrinsic thyroid gland dysfunction, causing reduced hormone production despite normal or increased stimulation. Secondary hypothyroidism arises from inadequate thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion by the pituitary. Tertiary...
Aging01:26

Aging

Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology01:27

Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology

Hyperthyroidism is a hypermetabolic state caused by elevated levels of thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). It results from dysregulation at the thyroid, pituitary, or immune system level and affects multiple organ systems.PathophysiologyThe most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies, specifically thyroid-stimulating antibodies (TSAb), a subtype of TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb), bind to and activate TSH receptors...
Cellular Adaptation I: Introduction and Atrophy01:23

Cellular Adaptation I: Introduction and Atrophy

Cells can adapt to environmental changes to maintain function and avoid injury, a process called cellular adaptation. Adapted cells exist in a reversible intermediate state with changes in size, number, phenotype, metabolism, or function. These responses help cells meet altered physiological or pathological demands; for example, enlargement of breast and uterine tissues during pregnancy. Early adaptations may enhance function, but persistent stress eventually causes tissue damage.Types of...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Strain Agnostic Influenza Virus Propagation in a Serum-Free, Suspension-Adapted MDCK Cell Line.

Influenza and other respiratory viruses·2026
Same author

Validation of prototype virus inactivation from seven virus families of pandemic potential with a novel low-cost, field-deployable RNA extraction and storage method.

Journal of virological methods·2025
Same author

Whole-Thorax Irradiation Induces Persistent T Cell Clonal Dysregulation in Pediatric Rhesus Macaques.

Radiation research·2025
Same author

Nonstabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike mRNA vaccination induces broadly neutralizing antibodies in nonhuman primates.

Science translational medicine·2025
Same author

Importance of outbreak response research in bridging knowledge gaps on emerging infectious diseases.

BMJ global health·2025
Same author

Use of a pathogen X tabletop exercise to assess the operational response preparedness of an emerging infectious diseases research network.

Frontiers in public health·2025
Same journal

A blind spot of human T cell immunology: epitope specificity in secondary lymphoid organs.

Current opinion in immunology·2026
Same journal

Germinal center responses at barrier organ sites.

Current opinion in immunology·2026
Same journal

Ocular sarcoidosis: from clinical signs to targeted interventions.

Current opinion in immunology·2026
Same journal

On or within: spatial determinants of antigen handling in the nasal turbinates.

Current opinion in immunology·2026
Same journal

Decoding the complexity of intestinal immunity with spatial transcriptomics.

Current opinion in immunology·2026
Same journal

Reconsidering the immunological aspects of solid-phase assays for antiphospholipid antibodies detection.

Current opinion in immunology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 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

Thymic rejuvenation and aging.

Melissa S Ventevogel1, Gregory D Sempowski

  • 1Duke University Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.

Current Opinion in Immunology
|July 9, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The thymus is crucial for immune function but shrinks with age. This review explores strategies like hormone therapy to rejuvenate the thymus and restore immune function in the elderly.

More Related Videos

Formation of Human Thymus Organoids in Three-Dimensional Fibrin Hydrogels
03:31

Formation of Human Thymus Organoids in Three-Dimensional Fibrin Hydrogels

Published on: October 4, 2024

Isolation, Identification, and Purification of Murine Thymic Epithelial Cells
07:20

Isolation, Identification, and Purification of Murine Thymic Epithelial Cells

Published on: August 8, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 10, 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

Formation of Human Thymus Organoids in Three-Dimensional Fibrin Hydrogels
03:31

Formation of Human Thymus Organoids in Three-Dimensional Fibrin Hydrogels

Published on: October 4, 2024

Isolation, Identification, and Purification of Murine Thymic Epithelial Cells
07:20

Isolation, Identification, and Purification of Murine Thymic Epithelial Cells

Published on: August 8, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Aging Research
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • The thymus is essential for T cell development and immune system homeostasis.
  • Age-associated thymic involution leads to reduced immune function, increasing susceptibility to infections, autoimmunity, and cancer.
  • Impaired immune recovery after treatments like chemotherapy or infections is a significant concern, especially in the elderly.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current strategies for thymic rejuvenation.
  • To discuss interventions aimed at counteracting age-related thymic decline.
  • To highlight the clinical need for restoring thymic function.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on thymic involution and rejuvenation.
  • Discussion of therapeutic approaches including sex steroid ablation, cytokines, growth factors, and hormones.
  • Analysis of mechanisms driving thymic involution.

Main Results:

  • Thymic involution is a significant factor in age-related immune decline.
  • Various interventions show potential for thymic rejuvenation.
  • Understanding involution mechanisms is key to developing effective therapies.

Conclusions:

  • Thymic rejuvenation holds promise for combating age-related immune dysfunction.
  • Targeting thymic involution can improve health outcomes in the elderly.
  • Further research is needed to translate rejuvenation strategies into clinical practice.