C. Deheer et al., THE INTRATHYMIC TARGET-CELL FOR THE THYMOTOXIC ACTION OF 2,3,7,8-TETRACHLORODIBENZO-P-DIOXIN, Experimental and clinical immunogenetics, 11(2-3), 1994, pp. 86-93
Sublethal exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) produ
ces thymic atrophy and thymic lymphodepletion in all species investiga
ted. Lymphodepletion is first seen in the cortex of the thymus, but al
so occurs in the medulla at later time points. This article surveys in
vivo and in vitro studies on TCDD-induced thymus toxicity. It is conc
luded that the first intrathymic target cell for the action of TCDD is
the cortical epithelial cell.