Nawrot I, Wozniewicz BM, Maruszewski B, Janas R, Wozniewicz M and Nazarewski s.
Department of Pathology, Childrens'' Memorial Health Institute, Warszawa, Poland
Introduction: Thymus is important organ of the immune system. From discovery of thymosine alpha 1 play essential role in maturation of peripheral T lymphocytes. Many factors was discovered that cause precocious thymus atrophy and developing of autoimmune diseases. Many methods are described to stop autoimmune diseases including revolution in oncology ((Ipilimumab) , and stem cell therapy. This paper describe a new method to improve natural thymus defence system by ectopic thymus derived stem cell implantation.
Material and Methods: Thymus explants were cultured for 34 days to observe secretion of thymosine alpha 1 in vitro and after implantation into volunteers. Cells were implanted into the subcutaneous adipose tissue and Tha1 level was observed during 12 years. Number of implanted cells was adequate to the size of 3,0 thymus remnants of adult man. Results: Thymus derived progenitor/stem cells secrete thymosin alpha 1 and may be used as natural method improving immune system.
Conclusion: Thymus progenitor/stem cells may be used in future as a new additional toolls in case of thymus deficiency and in autoimmune diseases. Instead of very expensive pharmaco-therapy using synthetic thymosine (Zadaxin) and other phatmaceuticals.