Comparative analysis of thymic subpopulations during different modes of atrophy identifies the reactive oxygen species scavenger, N‐acetyl cysteine, to increase the survival of thymocytes during infection‐induced and lipopolysaccharide‐induced thymic atrophy

• DOI: 10.1111/imm.13043
• Publication Date: 2019-01-19T20:19:53Z
• Authors: Shamik Majumdar; Vasista Adiga; Abinaya Raghavan; Supriya Rajendra ...; Dipankar Nandi
• Keywords: Thymocyte; Double negative

Summary The development of immunocompetent T cells entails a complex pathway differentiation in the thymus. Thymic atrophy occurs with ageing and during conditions such as malnutrition, infections cancer chemotherapy. comparative changes thymic subsets under different modes mechanisms involved are not well characterized. These aspects were investigated, using mice infected Salmonella Typhimurium, injection lipopolysaccharide ( LPS ), an inflammatory but non‐infectious stimulus, etoposide (Eto), drug used to treat some cancers, dexamethasone (Dex), steroid diseases. effects on major subpopulations thymocytes based multicolour flow cytometry studies were, first, CD 4 − 8 double‐negative DN ) cells, mainly 2–4, reduced infection, Eto treatment, Dex. Second, + 3 lo immature single‐positive ISP s) highly sensitive Eto, Third, treatment , Dex all three double‐positive DP thymocytes, i.e. 1, 2 3, subset was relatively more resistant infection. Fourth, both SP lowered by Dex, Notably, subsets, whereas resistant. Interestingly, reactive oxygen species quencher, N ‐acetyl cysteine, greatly improved survival especially s, s infection treatment. implications these observations for potential thymopoietic drugs discussed.