朱健康/吕宇轩提出“以胸腺为中心”的免疫衰老新框架，为抗衰老研究打开新思路

Core Viewpoint - The article presents a new framework centered on the thymus in understanding immune aging, highlighting its critical role in the decline of immune function and exploring potential intervention strategies [1][4]. Group 1: Thymus and Immune Aging - Immunosenescence is characterized by increased disease susceptibility, reduced vaccine efficacy, and chronic low-grade inflammation, which diminishes the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy [1][4]. - The thymus is identified as a key organ in the immune system, responsible for training T cells, and its decline is noted to begin as early as puberty, leading to significant reductions in naive T cell numbers and diversity [4][8]. - Unlike other immune organs, thymic atrophy is largely irreversible, making it a critical failure point in the immune axis and a prime target for interventions against immune aging [12][15]. Group 2: Factors Influencing Thymic Decline - Thymic decline is influenced by several factors, including hormonal changes during puberty, infection burden, oxidative stress, and regulation of the FOXN1 gene, which is crucial for thymic epithelial cell function [14][15]. - Clinical observations indicate that individuals who undergo thymectomy experience long-term immune deficiencies, underscoring the thymus's importance in maintaining immune health [8][12]. Group 3: Implications for Future Research - The article emphasizes that protecting thymic function may be essential for long-term immune health, suggesting that strategies to avoid unnecessary infections, reduce chronic inflammation, and maintain hormonal balance could help delay thymic decline [17]. - Targeting thymic regeneration could not only improve the quality of life for the elderly but also lead to breakthroughs in cancer immunotherapy and vaccine development [17][15].