The thymic microenvironment plays a key role in the intrathymic T-cell differentiation. It is
composed of a tridimensional network of epithelial cells whose physiology is controlled by
extrinsic circuits such as neuroendocrine axes. Herein we show that the expression of
extracellular matrix ligands and receptors by cultured thymic epithelial cells is upregulated
by prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH), the latter apparently occurring via insulin-like
growth factor I (IGF-I). Thymocyte release from the lymphoepithelial complexes, thymic nurse …