| First Author | Terszowski G | Year | 2006 |
| Journal | Science | Volume | 312 |
| Issue | 5771 | Pages | 284-7 |
| PubMed ID | 16513945 | Mgi Jnum | J:108342 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3623713 | Doi | 10.1126/science.1123497 |
| Citation | Terszowski G, et al. (2006) Evidence for a functional second thymus in mice. Science 312(5771):284-7 |
| abstractText | The thymus organ supports the development of T cells and is located in the thorax. Here, we report the existence of a second thymus in the mouse neck, which develops after birth and grows to the size of a small lymph node. The cervical thymus had a typical medulla-cortex structure, was found to support T cell development, and could correct T cell deficiency in athymic nude mice upon transplantation. The identification of a regular second thymus in the mouse may provide evolutionary links to thymus organogenesis in other vertebrates and suggests a need to reconsider the effect of thoracic thymectomy on de novo T cell production. |
