The thymus is a small but essential organ located just above the heart. Although its function was the last to be discovered among human organs, its role in our immune system is vital. One of the key functions of the thymus is to train T-cells to recognise and attack harmful invaders while ensuring they do not mistakenly target the body’s own tissues.
Unfortunately, the thymus cannot fully regenerate and shrinks as we grow older. This decline makes elderly more susceptible to infections, underscoring the importance of the thymus in maintaining a robust immune system throughout life. For children born without a functioning thymus, the situation is even worse: A simple cold can pose life-threatening risks, similar to the challenges faced by children with Severe Combined Immune deficiency (SCID).
At Genewity, we are developing i-Thymus, an innovative solution aimed at restoring thymus function using a patient’s own cells. This process involves two main steps:
- Reverting the patient’s cells into stem cells, specifically induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
- Creating an environment that mimics the thymus and inserting a key gene into these cells to guide their development toward thymus-like cells.
With this approach, we aim to cultivate a mini-thymus in the laboratory. What sets i-Thymus apart is its personalised nature. By utilising the patient’s own cells, we strive to customise treatments to address individual needs. For instance, we could activate T-cell immunity in children lacking a functioning thymus, but we could also deactivate T-cell immunity in patients with autoimmune diseases, helping the immune system recognise and hence avoid attacking its own tissues.
Our i-TOL technology further enhances this process by training the immune system to recognize and tolerate its own cells. By harnessing the natural ability of the thymus cells to eliminate harmful T-cells and promote the growth of helpful, so called regulatory, T-cells, we can reprogram the immune system to prevent it from harming the own body. This will offer renewed hope for treating autoimmune diseases.
At Genewity, we believe our i-Thymus platform represents a significant advancement in immune health. It has the potential to offer patients with severe immune conditions a chance to reclaim their health and enjoy longer, healthier lives. With i-Thymus, we are not only rebuilding an underestimated organ but also redefining the possibilities for immune recovery.
