Thymus and Its Roles in Immunology

Dear Colleagues,

The thymus is a central organ in the development and regulation of the immune system. As the primary site for T-cell differentiation and selection, it plays a fundamental role in establishing immune competence, maintaining tolerance to self-antigens, and shaping adaptive immune responses. Despite decades of research, many aspects of thymic biology remain incompletely understood, particularly in the context of aging, immune-mediated diseases, infection, and emerging immunotherapies.

This Special Issue aims to gather cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews that advance our understanding of thymic structure, function, and clinical relevance. The issue seeks to highlight recent discoveries in thymus biology and explore how thymic processes influence immune homeostasis, tolerance, and disease.

We welcome submissions covering, but not limited to, the following topics:
-Mechanisms of thymocyte development, selection, and maturation
-Thymic epithelial cells and the thymic microenvironment
-Central tolerance and the prevention of autoimmunity
-Thymic involution, regeneration, and aging of the immune system
-Thymus function in infection, cancer, and inflammatory diseases
-Thymic dysfunction in primary and secondary immunodeficiencies
-Thymus-related biomarkers and diagnostic approaches
-Advances in thymus imaging, single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, or new models
-Thymus-targeted therapies and strategies for immune reconstitution
-The role of the thymus in emerging immunotherapies and transplantation tolerance

By bringing together experimental, translational, and clinical perspectives, this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current progress in thymus research and its implications for human health. Contributions presenting innovative methodologies, integrative multi-omics approaches, and novel therapeutic strategies are particularly encouraged.

We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that deepen our understanding of thymus biology and its impact on immunology.

Dr. Hector Cordero
Guest Editor

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