THYMIC INBORN ERRORS OF IMMUNITY

The thymus is crucial for optimal T cell development by facilitating the generation and selection of a diverse repertoire of T cells that can recognize foreign antigens while promoting tolerance to self-antigens. A number of inborn errors of immunity (IEI) causing complete or partial defects in thymic development (athymia) and/or impaired thymic function have been increasingly recognized that manifest clinically with a combination of life-threatening infections, severe multiorgan autoimmunity, and/or cardiac, cranio-facial, ectodermal, and endocrine abnormalities. The introduction of newborn screening programs and the advent of thymic transplantation show promise for early detection and improving the outcomes of patients with certain thymic IEI. Herein, we discuss our current understanding of the genetics, immunopathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of IEI that impair thymic development and/or function.