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[Внутри тимуса]
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Наша иммунная система борется
с инфекциями и раковыми клетками
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с помощью одного из видов лейкоцитов —
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Т-клеток, или T-лимфоцитов.
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Т-клетки вырабатываются органом,
который называется «тимус».
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== Далее пока что не переведено ==
Immature blood cells, made
from blood stem cells in the bone marrow,
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travel through the blood stream
to the thymus.
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Inside the thymus over the course
of approximately two weeks
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a network of different cells
impart chemical signals
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that affect the fate
of the immature T-cells.
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They are guided through
a process of development,
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selection,
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and also elimination,
to become mature T-cells.
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Firstly, the immature T-cells
are instructed to develop receptors.
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At the next stage,
those cells with receptors
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that can respond to the type of proteins
the ones useful to our immune system
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are signaled to survive,
the rest are eliminated.
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After this stage,
some of the developing T-cells
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may recognize proteins
from the healthy cells of our own body
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which can be dangerous
and cause auto-immunity,
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where they may target
those cells and tissues.
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In the final stage,
these cells are eliminated.
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The remaining now-matured T-cells,
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which have passed
through the selection process,
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enter the blood stream
and become part of our immune system.
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In fact, as little as 1% reach this stage
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and are now ready to protect
against harmful infection and disease,
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but not the healthy cells of our own body.
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From a young age, our thymus
degenerates -- getting smaller.
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Throughout our lives,
fewer and fewer T-cells are made,
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reducing our protection against
new infections and cancer,
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especially in old age.
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Finding ways to regenerate the thymus
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could help to boost the immune system
when this happens
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and could also lead to treatments
for a number of conditions
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affecting both the thymus
and the immune system.
