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

Development of the Heart

Development of the Heart

The development of the human heart, a crucial organ, commences from the mesoderm on the 18th or 19th day after fertilization. This process initiates in the cardiogenic area, a group of mesodermal cells at the embryo's head end, which evolves into elongated strands known as cardiogenic cords. These cords undergo a transformation to form hollow-centered endocardial tubes.
As the embryo undergoes lateral folding, these paired tubes approach each other, merging into a single primitive heart tube by...

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...

Development of the Lymphatic System

Development of the Lymphatic System

The development of lymphatic tissues and vessels in embryonic life begins around the fifth week. These structures originate from the mesoderm layer, with lymph sacs emerging from developing veins.
The first lymph sacs to form are the paired jugular lymph sacs located at the junction of the internal jugular and subclavian veins. From these sacs, lymphatic capillary plexuses extend to the thorax, upper limbs, neck, and head, eventually forming lymphatic vessels. Each jugular lymph sac maintains a...

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...

Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus

Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus

Development of the reproductive organs in an embryo starts from a bipotential state. This means the early embryo can develop either male or female reproductive organs. The formation of these organs begins with the growth of gonadal ridges that arise from the intermediate mesoderm during the fifth week of development.
Near the gonadal ridges, two duct systems are present: the mesonephric ducts (Wolffian ducts) and paramesonephric ducts (Müllerian ducts). These ducts form the basis for the male...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

[Membrane injuries of pancreatic acinar cells are the first changes in early stage acute experimental pancreatitis].

Langenbecks Archiv fur Chirurgie. Supplement. Kongressband. Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Chirurgie. Kongress·2003

Same author

Chronic pancreatitis: the perspective of pain generation by neuroimmune interaction.

Gut·2003

Same author

Ventral neural tube cells differentiate into hepatocytes in the chick embryo.

Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS·1999

Same author

A new source of cells contributing to the developing gastrointestinal tract demonstrated in chick embryos.

Gastroenterology·1998

Same author

Localization of peptide transporter in nuclei and lysosomes of the pancreas.

International journal of pancreatology : official journal of the International Association of Pancreatology·1998

Same author

Morphology of the exocrine pancreas related to pancreatitis.

Microscopy research and technique·1997

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 24, 2026

Characterization of Thymic Settling Progenitors in the Mouse Embryo Using In Vivo and In Vitro Assays

Characterization of Thymic Settling Progenitors in the Mouse Embryo Using In Vivo and In Vitro Assays

Published on: June 9, 2015

Development of the thymus

¹Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912-2000, USA.

Microscopy Research and Technique

|August 1, 1997

Summary

Proper thymus development requires coordinated interactions between endoderm, ectoderm, and neural crest. Disruptions can lead to immune deficiencies, similar to DiGeorge syndrome.

Area of Science:

Developmental biology
Immunology
Genetics

Background:

Thymus development is essential for adaptive immunity.
The thymus requires contributions from endoderm, ectoderm, and neural crest for proper formation.
Defects in thymic development are linked to congenital immune disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the critical developmental processes and cellular interactions required for thymus maturation.
To understand the origins of thymic developmental defects and their impact on immunity.

Main Methods:

Review of experimental studies on thymic development.
Analysis of the roles of pharyngeal endoderm, ectoderm, and neural crest derivatives.
Comparison of developmental defects with congenital syndromes like DiGeorge and fetal alcohol syndrome.

More Related Videos

Two-step Approach to Explore Early- and Late-stages of Organ Formation in the Avian Model: The Thymus and Parathyroid Glands Organogenesis Paradigm

Two-step Approach to Explore Early- and Late-stages of Organ Formation in the Avian Model: The Thymus and Parathyroid Glands Organogenesis Paradigm

Published on: June 17, 2018

Formation of Human Thymus Organoids in Three-Dimensional Fibrin Hydrogels

Formation of Human Thymus Organoids in Three-Dimensional Fibrin Hydrogels

Published on: October 4, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 24, 2026

Characterization of Thymic Settling Progenitors in the Mouse Embryo Using In Vivo and In Vitro Assays

Characterization of Thymic Settling Progenitors in the Mouse Embryo Using In Vivo and In Vitro Assays

Published on: June 9, 2015

Two-step Approach to Explore Early- and Late-stages of Organ Formation in the Avian Model: The Thymus and Parathyroid Glands Organogenesis Paradigm

Two-step Approach to Explore Early- and Late-stages of Organ Formation in the Avian Model: The Thymus and Parathyroid Glands Organogenesis Paradigm

Published on: June 17, 2018

Formation of Human Thymus Organoids in Three-Dimensional Fibrin Hydrogels

Formation of Human Thymus Organoids in Three-Dimensional Fibrin Hydrogels

Published on: October 4, 2024

Main Results:

Thymus development depends on the expansion of the epithelial primordium from pharyngeal endoderm, aided by ectoderm.
Mesenchymal derivatives from the neural crest are crucial for the functional development of the epithelial primordium.
Interference with these processes mimics defects seen in DiGeorge and fetal alcohol syndromes.

Conclusions:

Understanding thymic developmental pathways is key to comprehending thymus-dependent immunodeficiencies.
Genetic and environmental factors influencing thymic development warrant further investigation.