Effects of Thymus Grafting in Human Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders

Effects of Thymus Grafting in Human Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders 

In contrast to DiGeorge s syndrome, thymus transplantation has usually not been successful in patients with SCID (van Bekkum, 1973 Hong, 1976), although occasional T cell reconstitution has been noted (Murphy et al., 1976). In a more rational approach, thymus tissue has been transplanted in conjunction with fetal liver as a source of stem cells for treatment of SCID, 

Thymus transplantation has also been employed experimentally in a variety of conditions including chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, ataxia-telangiectsia, and Wiscott-Aldrich syndrome, but in these cases results have generally been disappointing (reviewed in Pahwa et al., 1979 Skotnicki et al., 1984). Thus, the only immunodeficiency state that has clearly demonstrated a lasting improvement of T cell immunity following thymus transplantation is DiGeorge s syndrome. 

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