So B is for thymus, too?So B is for thymus thymus Pyramid-shaped lymphoid organ (see lymphoid tissue) between the breastbone and the heart. Starting at puberty, it shrinks slowly. It has no lymphatic vessels draining into it and does not filter lymph; instead, stem cells in its outer cortex develop into , too? Are there B lymphocytes alive and well and living in the thymus gland thymus gland (thī`məs), mass of glandular tissue located in the neck or chest of most vertebrate animals. In humans, the thymus is a soft, flattened, pinkish-gray organ located in the upper chest under the breastbone. ? The answer is yes, say scientists from the University College and Middlesex School Middlesex School is an independent preparatory school for grades 9 - 12 located in Concord, Massachusetts, USA. It was founded in 1901 by Frederick Winsor, who headed the school until 1937. Formerly an all-boys' school, Middlesex became coeducational in 1974. of Medicine and Brompton Hospital in London. If so, the production of B lymphocytes in the thymus gland could tweak To make minor adjustments in an electronic system or in a software program in order to improve performance. See calibrate. 1. tweak - To change slightly, usually in reference to a value. Also used synonymously with twiddle. traditional immunology. While the thymus gland has long been considered the executive director of T-lymphocyte production, B lymphocytes are thought to come from the bone marrow in humans. But there apparently is a distinct population of B cells produced by the thymus, report Peter G. Isaacson, Andrew J. Norton and Bruce J. Addis in the Dec. 26 LANCET. The scientists looked for the cells after finding a type of B-cell cancer that starts in the thymus. Isaacson said in an interview that tissue-staining techniques show that the B cells in question are active and have a distinct set of antigens on their surface--evidence that they aren't just "passing through" in the blood. He suggests that the cells may act as messengers by presenting antigens to T cells T cells A type of white blood cell produced in the thymus gland. T cells are an important part of the immune system. Infants born with an underdeveloped or absent thymus do not have a normal level of T cells in their blood. . Thus far, he says, immunologists have reacted to the findings with "a curious silence." |
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