Editorial: Hormones, Neurotransmitters, and T-Cell Development in Health and Disease

Thymus physiology and T-cell development are controlled by a large variety of soluble molecules and their corresponding receptors, which can target both lymphoid and the non-lymphoid compartments.

Some of these molecules include cytokines/chemokines, hormones and neurotransmitters. They modulate the functions of distinct microenvironmental cells, including their maturation, survival, and role in antigen presentation. Additionally, they influence thymocyte survival, migration and selection, determining the pool of mature T-cells in the periphery of the immune system.
Importantly, some of these circuits can be affected in specific pathological states. In this context, the aim of this Research Topic is to discuss the control of thymus physiology and T-cell development by hormones and neurotransmitters in health and disease.

The Topic will primarily focus on the following themes:

• HPA axis, adrenal glands and T-cell development
• Thymic adrenergic network
• Sympathetic control of regulatory T-cells
• Serotonin and intrathymic cytokine production
• VIP/PACAP and T-cell development
• Brain-derived growth factor and T-cell development
• Eph/Ephrin interactions in T-cell development
• Semaphorins and human T-cell development in health and disease
• Ghrelin and T-cell development
• Intrathymic production of glucocorticoids
• Sex steroids, thymus ageing and regeneration
• T-cell development, acethilcholine receptors and Myasthenia gravis
• Hormones and thymus in parasitic diseases
• Regulatory T-cells and hormones
• T-cell development, diabetes, and insulin