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

Retroviruses02:33

Retroviruses

15.0K
Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
15.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Development and Functions of MAIT Cells.

Annual review of immunology·2025
Same author

Ferritin heavy chain supports stability and function of the regulatory T cell lineage.

The EMBO journal·2024
Same author

A conserved transcriptional program for MAIT cells across mammalian evolution.

The Journal of experimental medicine·2023
Same author

IL-7 Receptor Drives Early T Lineage Progenitor Expansion.

Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)·2022
Same author

Peptidylprolyl isomerase C (Ppic) regulates invariant Natural Killer T cell (iNKT) differentiation in mice.

European journal of immunology·2021
Same author

Self-renewal of double-negative 3 early thymocytes enables thymus autonomy but compromises the β-selection checkpoint.

Cell reports·2021

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Murine Model of Leukemia Relapse to Induction Chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
08:31

Murine Model of Leukemia Relapse to Induction Chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Published on: October 17, 2025

697

Thymus autonomy as a prelude to leukemia.

Rafael A Paiva1, Camila V Ramos1, Vera C Martins1

  • 1Lymphocyte Development and Leukemogenesis Laboratory, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal.

The FEBS Journal
|September 7, 2018
PubMed
Summary

Cell competition in the thymus normally prevents leukemia. Impaired cell competition leads to prolonged thymus autonomy, increasing the risk of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) development.

Keywords:
SCIDT cell acute lymphoblastic leukemiaT lymphocyte developmentT-ALLcell competitiongene therapyprimary immune deficiencythymus autonomy

More Related Videos

Assessment of the Metabolic Profile of Primary Leukemia Cells
06:21

Assessment of the Metabolic Profile of Primary Leukemia Cells

Published on: November 21, 2018

11.0K
Reaggregate Thymus Cultures
05:47

Reaggregate Thymus Cultures

Published on: August 28, 2008

13.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Murine Model of Leukemia Relapse to Induction Chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
08:31

Murine Model of Leukemia Relapse to Induction Chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Published on: October 17, 2025

697
Assessment of the Metabolic Profile of Primary Leukemia Cells
06:21

Assessment of the Metabolic Profile of Primary Leukemia Cells

Published on: November 21, 2018

11.0K
Reaggregate Thymus Cultures
05:47

Reaggregate Thymus Cultures

Published on: August 28, 2008

13.4K

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Cell competition in the thymus is crucial for maintaining T lymphocyte homeostasis and acts as a tumor suppressor mechanism.
  • Impaired cell competition can lead to a state of thymus autonomy, where the thymus sustains T lymphocyte production independently.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the link between prolonged thymus autonomy and the emergence of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL).
  • To explore an alternative explanation for T-ALL development in gene therapy for X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID-X1) beyond retroviral genotoxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Thymus transplantation experiments in mice to study T lymphocyte precursor dynamics.
  • Analysis of clinical data from patients treated for SCID-X1 gene therapy.
  • Review and discussion of recent studies on thymopoiesis and leukemogenesis.

Main Results:

  • The presence of recent T lymphocyte precursors promotes the clearance of older precursors, highlighting the role of cell competition.
  • Prolonged thymus autonomy, resulting from impaired cell competition, was consistently associated with T-ALL emergence.
  • T-ALL development in SCID-X1 patients post-gene therapy may be linked to prolonged thymus autonomy, not solely retroviral genotoxicity.

Conclusions:

  • Prolonged thymus autonomy is a significant risk factor for T-ALL development.
  • The findings suggest that conditions promoting thymus autonomy, including certain gene therapy outcomes, can contribute to leukemogenesis.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms linking thymic microenvironment and T-ALL.