ATHYMIC MICE Meaning and
Definition
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Athymic mice, also known as nude mice, are a type of laboratory mice that have a genetic mutation resulting in the absence or dysfunction of the thymus gland. The thymus is a critical organ of the immune system responsible for the maturation and differentiation of T-cells, which are essential for the body's defense against infections and diseases.
Typically, athymic mice lack functional natural killer cells, B cells, and T-cell populations. As a result, they exhibit severe immunodeficiency, with a weakened immune response to foreign antigens. Therefore, these mice are often used as important research models in various scientific fields, including immunology, cancer research, and transplantation studies.
Due to their immunocompromised state, athymic mice provide a unique opportunity for scientists to examine the role of specific genes, cells, or immunotherapeutic agents in an environment devoid of T-cell activity. They can be used to investigate transplantation biology, as they accept grafts and transplants from different species without causing rejection.
Furthermore, athymic mice are widely applied in cancer research as they are susceptible to tumor xenografts. Human cancer cells or tumor tissues can be transplanted into these mice, allowing researchers to study tumor growth, metastasis, and evaluate potential anticancer therapies.
In summary, athymic mice are a valuable tool in biomedical research due to their lack of functional thymus and subsequent immunodeficiency. Their use enables scientists to gain insights into various physiological and pathological processes, contributing to the advancement of medical knowledge and the development of potential therapeutic interventions.
Common Misspellings for ATHYMIC MICE
- zthymic mice
- sthymic mice
- wthymic mice
- qthymic mice
- arhymic mice
- afhymic mice
- aghymic mice
- ayhymic mice
- a6hymic mice
- a5hymic mice
- atgymic mice
- atbymic mice
- atnymic mice
- atjymic mice
- atuymic mice
- atyymic mice
- athtmic mice
- athgmic mice
- athhmic mice
- athumic mice
Etymology of ATHYMIC MICE
The term "athymic mice" is derived from the combination of two words: "athymic" and "mice".
1. Athymic: The word "athymic" is derived from the Greek prefix "a-" meaning "without" and the Greek word "thymos" meaning "thymus" (a gland involved in the immune system). Therefore, "athymic" literally means "without a thymus". It refers to a condition in which the thymus gland is absent or not functioning properly, resulting in a deficient or compromised immune system.
2. Mice: The word "mice" comes from the Old English word "mys", plurally "mēs", which later evolved to "mouse" in Middle English. It denotes small rodents belonging to the Muridae family, commonly found in various parts of the world.
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