Researchers identify a path to reboot immune system after bone-marrow transplant read more at here www.spinonews.com/index.php/item/703-researchers-identify-a-path-to-reboot-immune-system-after-bone-marrow-transplant

How a cell surface molecule, Lymphotoxin β receptor, controls entry of T-cells into the thymus, and why cancer patients who undergo bone-marrow transplant are slow to recover their immune system.

Thymus imports T-cell precursors from the bone marrow and supports their development into mature T-cells that fight off dangerous diseases.

Usually T-cells are the last cells to recover in cancer patients receiving bone marrow transplants. Though the cancer is cured, patients are often left with an impaired immune system that can take years to recover.

A team from University of Birmingham, collaborated with Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute and Trudeau Institute, found Lymphotoxin β receptor was required to allow the entry of T-cell progenitors to the thymus both in a healthy state, and during immune recovery following bone-marrow transplantation.

Professor Graham Anderson, from University of Birmingham explained, thymus is an unknown refuse organ, but it plays a crucial role in maintain an effective immune system.

T-cell progenitors obtain from the bone marrow transplant can struggle to enter the thymus, as if the entrance to the thymus is closed. Identifying molecular regulators can support and allow these cells to enter and mature, could will be help reboot the immune system.

There are adverse effects to opening the door to the thymus, but identifying a pathway that regulates this process is a significant step.

For these findings, the team aim to move towards in-vitro samples of human thymus to examine the role that Lymphotoxin b receptor might play in regulation of thymus function in man.