Reversing thymic involution: A comparative analysis & novel therapeutic proposal

Abstract

This work is directed to review current and emerging therapeutic strategies for reversing thymic involution. Various literature investigations have been conducted for preclinical and clinical studies, classifying interventions by their cellular targets and their particular modality. Investigated approaches include hormonal modulation therapies and cytokine/growth factor therapy which promote thymic epithelial cell (TECs) proliferation, as well as cell- and tissue-based regenerative strategies. Many interventions briefly enhance thymic size or T-cell output in models, but face boundaries such as incomplete strength and potential side effects. Remarkably, novel concepts have arisen like the metabolic regulator fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) preserves thymic architecture and naive T-cell yield during aging. Hypothetical approaches involving vaccine-like immunomodulation have also been proposed, though evidence is introductory.