Thymectomy and multiple sclerosis: ultrastructural study of an experimental model.
G Chir. 1999 Mar;20(3):119-24.
Thymectomy and multiple sclerosis: ultrastructural study of an experimental model.
D'Andrea V, Biancari F, Cavallotti D, Malinovsky L, Di Matteo FM, Modesti A, Confaloni AM, Salvati S
Department of Surgical Sciences, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Transmission electron microscopy was performed on specimens of the thymus of rats induced for acute experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). The ultrastructural alterations of the thymus were progressive and correlated with EAE development. The thymic disorganization was due to a progressive degeneration of both epithelial cells and thymocytes. These data suggest a direct involvement of the epithelial thymic cells and thymocytes in EAE pathogenesis and may suggest the intriguing therapeutic concept of thymectomy in the management of multiple sclerosis.
PMID: 10217872 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]