Description
Thymosin is a 5-Da polypeptide hormone secreted by the thymus gland, which stimulates the development of disease-fighting T lymphocytes (a specific type of white blood cell): The thymus gland is located behind the breastbone and between the lungs. Throughout childhood, white blood cells called lymphocytes pass through the thymus, where they develop into T lymphocytes. Once the T lymphocytes have fully matured in the thymus, they migrate to the lymph nodes (groups of immune system cells) throughout the body, where they help the immune system fight disease. Although the thymus is only active until puberty (after puberty, the thymus begins to slowly shrink and be replaced by fat), its dual function as an endocrine and lymphatic gland plays an important role in your long-term health. The body uses T lymphocytes to help destroy infected or cancerous cells. T cells created by the thymus also help other organs of the immune system develop properly. Thymosin also promotes the development of B cells into plasma cells for antibody production.
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