Early Development of the Thymus/Growth Factors and Thyroid Hormones

9809876 Rollins-Smith这里提出的研究将使用两栖动物（青蛙）模型系统来检查特定激素和生长因子对免疫系统发育的作用。 为什么要研究青蛙？ 青蛙属于一个古老的脊椎动物类（脊椎动物），受到世界各地博物学家的重视。 它们有一个复杂的神经内分泌系统，使它们能够在各种水生环境中蓬勃发展。 它们还具有复杂的免疫系统，使它们能够抵抗病原体的感染。 两栖动物经历变态，这涉及到整个身体的破坏和重组，包括免疫系统。 所有高等脊椎动物，包括人类，都与青蛙有远亲关系，了解激素和生长因子与青蛙免疫系统发育的相互作用可能会为其他物种中这些复杂的相互作用提供见解。 另一个令人信服的原因是试图了解青蛙的神经内分泌和免疫系统，博物学家最近观察到世界范围内许多青蛙物种的减少。 这种令人担忧的趋势的原因尚不清楚，但怀疑是人为干扰生态系统。 这些干扰可能导致青蛙免疫系统功能受损，对疾病的易感性增加。 这些研究也有可能帮助培养发育生物学家和免疫学家。

9809876 Rollins-Smith The studies proposed here will examine the role of specific hormones and growth factors on development of the immune system using an amphibian (frog) model system. Why study frogs? Frogs belong to an ancient class of vertebrates (animals with backbones) valued by naturalists around the world. They have a complex neuroendocrine system that enables them to flourish in a variety of aquatic environments. They also have a complex immune system that enables them to resist infection by disease organisms. Amphibians undergo metamorphosis which involves the destruction and reorganization of the whole body including the immune system. All higher vertebrates, including humans, are distantly related to frogs, and understanding the interactions of hormones and growth factors with the developing immune system in frogs may provide insight into these complex interactions in other species. Another compelling reason to try to understand the neuroendocrine and immune systems of the frog is that naturalists have recently observed the decline in a number of frog species worldwide. The causes for this alarming trend are not well-understood, but manmade disturbances to the ecosystem are suspected. These disturbances may result in the impaired function of the frog's immune system with increased susceptibility to disease. These studies also have the potential to assist in the training of developmental biologists and immunologists.