Inactivation of the RB family prevents thymus involution and promotes thymic function by direct control of Foxn1 expression.

Abstract excerpt

Thymic involution during aging is a major cause of decreased production of T cells and reduced immunity. Here we show that inactivation of Rb family genes in young mice prevents thymic involution and results in an enlarged thymus competent for increased production of naive T cells. This phenotype originates from the expansion of functional thymic epithelial cells (TECs). In RB family mutant TECs, increased...

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• E2F Transcription Factors
• Epithelial Cells
• Epithelium
• Forkhead Transcription Factors
• Gene Silencing