Thymus metallothionein: regulation of zinc-thionein in the aging mouse

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Abstract
The presence of a Zn-inducible metallothionein in mouse thymus tissue has been shown, together with an age-related modulation of Zn, metallothionein, and thymus mass. Metallothionein (MT) and zinc concentrations were found to be maximum prior to completion of thymic growth and to be a minimum when development of the thymus had ceased. Subsequent transient outgrowths of the thymus during involution showed similar associated fluctuations of MT and Zn levels. A marked difference in the latter parameters was found on comparison with New Zealand Black mice known for development of early onset autoimmunities. These findings provide a new avenue for both investigation of the regulation of Zn in thymus tissue, as well as the possible elucidation of the molecular basis for certain age-related immune dysfunctions.