scholarly journals THE FUNCTIONS OF THE THYMUS SYSTEM AND THE BURSA SYSTEM IN THE CHICKEN

1966 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Max D. Cooper ◽  
Raymond D. A. Peterson ◽  
Mary Ann South ◽  
Robert A. Good

The bursa of Fabricius and the thymus are "central lymphoid organs" in the chicken, essential to the ontogenetic development of adaptive immunity in that species. Surgical removal of one or both of these organs in the newly hatched chicken, followed by sublethal X-irradiation the next day, has permitted recognition of two morphologically distinct cell systems in the "peripheral lymphoid tissues" of the spleen, gut, and other organs, and clear definition of the separate functions of each cell system. The thymus-dependent development is represented morphologically by the small lymphocytes of the circulation and the white pulp type of development in the tissues. As in mammals, the thymus-dependent tissues of the chicken are basic to the ontogenesis of cellular immunity: graft versus host reactions, responses of delayed hypersensitivity and homograft rejection; and play a less clearly defined role in the antibody response to at least some antigens. Thymectomized-irradiated chickens are deficient in all these responses, and grow more slowly than any of the other experimental groups. In these animals germinal centers, plasma cells, and capacity for immunoglobulin synthesis remain intact. The bursa-dependent development is represented morphologically by the larger lymphocytes of the germinal centers and the plasma cells, and functionally by the immunoglobulins. Bursectomized-irradiated chickens are agammaglobulinemic and unable to produce detectable antibody despite intense, repeated stimulation with bovine serum albumin and Brucella abortus organisms. The thymus-dependent development in these animals seems to be normal; they have adequate numbers of lymphocytes in the circulation and tissues, are able to reject skin homografts, though more slowly than usual, and to exercise graft versus host reactions. The short life span of these chickens has precluded adequate study of responses of delayed hypersensitivity. There was no evidence of significant impairment of reticuloendothelial function in either the bursectomized-irradiated or the thymectomized-irradiated group, as judged by the clearance of colloidal gold and I131-tagged keyhole limpet hemocyanin.

1970 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Akter ◽  
MZI Khan ◽  
MR Jahan ◽  
MR Karim ◽  
MR Islam

Topology and histology were performed in the lymphoid tissues (thymus, bursa of Fabricius, spleen and cecal tonsils) of the fifteen 28-days-old "Kasilla" broilers by observation of H & E stained sections in the Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from October to December 2005. In the present study, it was observed that the thymus was enclosed by a thin connective tissue capsule. Numerous fine septa of connective tissue originated from the capsule and divide the organ into incompletely separated lobules. Each lobule organized into a peripheral cortex and a central medulla. The population of the immunocompetent cells (lymphocytes and immunoglobulin containing plasma cells) in the cortex were denser rather than that of medulla of the thymic lobule. The bursa of Fabricius was consisting of long thick mucosal folds (plicae). Numerous follicles filled the lamina propria of each fold and each bursal follicle was composed a peripheral cortex and a central medulla. The population of the immunocompetent cells in the cortex of the bursal follicle were denser rather than that of medulla of the bursal follicle. The spleen was surrounded by a thick splenic capsule and there was a small number of trabeculi. The network of the splenic tissue was consisting of a network of reticular cells and fibers and was arranged into red pulps, which were scatteredly distributed within the white pulps. The white pulp was composed of network of reticular cells and reticular fibers within which the immunocompetent cells were diffusely distributed. It contained sheathed arteries and lymphatic nodules. The red pulp of the spleen was formed from venous sinuses and anastomosing cord of reticular cells, macrophages, lymphocytes and blood cells. Cecal tonsil was composed of four histological layers i.e. tunica mucosa, submucosa, muscularis and serosa. Their lining epithelium was simple columnar epithelium. More diffuse lymphoid tissue and unorganized lymphatic nodules were present both in the mucosa and submucosa of the cecal tonsil of broiler. The length and breadth of the thymic lobules were 629.30 ± 118.95 µm and 376.03 ± 98.92 µm, bursal follicles 468.83 ± 52.26 µm and 240.70 ± 34.19 µm, white pulp of the spleen 112.62 ± 13.25 µm and 89.42 ± 12.20 µm, lymphatic nodules of the cecal tonsil 255.20 ± 20.46 µm and 186.08 ± 24.90 µm respectively. The result of the present study revealed that the immunocompetent cells were arranged scatteredly or densely and as unorganized or organized lymphatic nodules in the lymphoid tissues and the length and breadth of the thymic lobule, bursal follicle, splenic white pulp and lymphatic nodule of cecal tonsils were varied within the lymphoid tissues and even one another. Key words: Histology, lymphoid tissues, immunocompetent cells, broilersDOI = 10.3329/bjvm.v4i2.1289Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2006). 4 (2): 87–92


1965 ◽  
Vol 122 (5) ◽  
pp. 853-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benvenuto Pernis ◽  
Gerolamo Chiappino ◽  
Andrew S. Kelus ◽  
Philip G. H. Gell

The cellular localization of allotypes in rabbit lymphoid tissues has been studied by immunofluorescence. In heterozygous animals the double staining for two allotypes controlled by allelic genes (A1 and A2; A4 and A5; A4 and A6) has shown the existence of two populations of plasma cells, one containing one allotype and the other the alternative one. The localization in different cells of immunoglobulins marked by allelic allotypic specificities has been confirmed by microspectrography of single cells. An exception to this rule was given by the presence in the germinal centers of lymphoid follicles of apparently uniform mixtures of products of the two allelic genes. Double staining for two allotypes controlled by genes at different loci showed, instead, the presence of many cells containing both allotypes; the number of these cells was highest in doubly homozygotes, in the other it was consistent with random association of non-allelic specificities. In addition double staining for one allotype and gamma G globulins in the lymphoid tissues of rabbits homozygous at the a or at the b locus, has shown the presence of cells containing immunoglobulins that lack one allotype.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiugao Feng ◽  
Xiangjin Xu ◽  
Yue Wang ◽  
Zhiyong Zheng ◽  
Guiying Lin

Introduction. Ectopic lymphoid neogenesis and the presence of IgG4-positive plasmacytes have been confirmed in chronic inflammatory sclerosing diseases. This study aims to investigate hip synovial tissues of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients for IgG4-positive plasma cells and ectopic lymphoid tissues with germinal centers (GCs).Methods. Synovial samples were collected from 7 AS patients who received total hip replacement and were evaluated using immunohistochemistry for the presence of CD20+ B-cells, CD3+ T-cells, CD21+ follicular dendritic cells (FDC), and CD38+ plasma cells. Furthermore, immunoglobulin G (IgG and IgG4), IgA, IgM, and complement components C3d and C4d in synovia were evaluated. Both synovial CD21+ FDCs and IgG4-producing plasmacytes were analyzed.Results. All seven patients had severe fibrosis. Massive infiltrations of lymphocytes were found in 5 out of 7 patients’ synovia. Ectopic lymphoid tissues with CD21+ FDC networks and IgG4-positive plasma cells were observed coincidentally in two patients’ synovia.Conclusion. The pathophysiological mechanism of AS patients’ hip damage might be related to the coincidental presence of ectopic lymphoid tissue with FDCs network and IgG4-positive plasma cells identified here for the first time in AS patients’ inflamed synovial tissue.


1962 ◽  
Vol 116 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byron H. Waksman ◽  
Barry G. Arnason ◽  
Branislav D. Janković

In rats thymectomized at birth, there was a profound depletion of small lymphocytes in various lymphatic organs. In the spleen, these cells were completely lacking from the Malpighian bodies and splenic white pulp. Empty reticular structures remained surrounding the white pulp arterioles. In the lymph nodes, large masses and nodules of small lymphocytes (primary lymphoid nodules) were either markedly depleted or absent, as were the zones of these cells normally surrounding germinal centers. In both spleen and nodes, germinal centers appeared normal in size, number, and cellular make-up; and plasma cells were found in normal or even increased number in their customary position. Rats which in spite of thymectomy developed intense Arthus or delayed reactivity showed incomplete depletion of the lymphoid tissue. It is concluded that small lymphocytes of the spleen and lymph nodes may come, in large part, directly from the thymus and are not derived from medium and large lymphocytes of the germinal centers. It is suggested that there may be a second population of small lymphocytes whose function is unrelated to the thymus lymphocytes.


1968 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Wakefield ◽  
G. J. Thorbecke

The fate, proliferation, and developmental potentialities of cell suspensions made from white pulp containing large germinal centers have been studied in the mouse by transfer of cells labeled with thymidine-3H to lethally irradiated, syngeneic recipients. Radioautographic analyses were made using both smears and sections of a variety of tissues. Thymidine-3H-labeling patterns of white pulp showed that, initially, labeling occurred in a majority of blast and "intermediate cells" but in very few or no small lymphocytes. After intravenous transfer, most of the labeled cells localized in the lymphoid tissues of spleen, lymph nodes, and Peyer's patches. Few cells migrated to the thymus, lung, liver, and intestinal mucosa. Both after intravenous and after intraperitoneal transfer there was a rapid increase in the incidence of labeled small lymphocytes and a decrease of labeled blasts and intermediate cells. This was accompanied by an increase in the grain count of the small lymphocytes and a progressive decrease in the grain counts of the blast cells. Exposure of nonlabeled donor cells to thymidine-3H at various time intervals after transfer indicated that dividing cells were present early after transfer but that their incidence progressively decreased. Between 24 and 48 hr, very little cell division was detectable.


1984 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 717-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Bouic ◽  
C Vincent ◽  
J P Revillard

The tissue distribution of rat alpha 1-microglobulin (alpha 1-m) was studied by indirect immunofluorescence in various rat tissues using a polyvalent rabbit antiserum to the purified antigen and a monoclonal antibody (H23) to the human homologue, in parallel with a polyclonal anti-rat IgA antiserum. It was found that all tissues stained by anti-IgA were also alpha 1-m positive; these tissues included tissues of the stomach, duodenum, ileum, colon, pancreas, trachea, esophagus and jejunum. However, the observation that IgA plasma cells as well as secretory cells, while positively stained by anti-IgA, are alpha 1-m negative suggests that the association between IgA and alpha 1-m occurs at a postsecretory stage, after the IgA molecules have been transported across the epithelial cells. Additionally, hepatocytes were intensely stained by anti-alpha 1-m antibodies, indicating that the liver, as already suggested by metabolic studies on isolated guinea-pig liver explants, may be responsible for the synthesis of this protein. Among lymphoid tissues, an intense and homogeneous staining was observed in the thymus and the white pulp of the spleen. Sections of lymph nodes, however, showed differential staining; apart from a few isolated dendritic cells in the mantle region of the lymphoid follicles, the germinal centers and medullary cords showed no staining with anti-alpha 1-m antibodies. The paracortical cells, macrophages in the subcapsular sinus, and interfollicular lymphocytes showed intense cytoplasmic staining with anti-alpha 1-m antibodies. In other tissues, macrophages, monocytes, tissue histiocytes, and dendritic cells were alpha 1-m positive. Although they confirm the presence of alpha 1-m in the lymphoid tissues, as already reported in man, these results show that the protein is also present in hepatocytes and in exocrine fluids containing IgA. Since alpha 1-m, like secretory component, can bind to IgA to form stable complexes, these two heavily glycosylated proteins may have similar biologic properties.


2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-58
Author(s):  
N Sultana ◽  
MZI Khan ◽  
MA Wares ◽  
MA Masum

A histomorphological study was performed in the major lymphoid tissues (thymus, bursa of Fabricus and spleen) of the six 21-day-old indigenous ducklings of Bangladesh by H & E staining method during the period from March to May 2011. In the present study, it was observed that the thymus was enclosed by a thin connective tissue capsule. Numerous fine septa of connective tissue originated from the capsule and divided the organ into incompletely separated lobules. Each lobule organized into a peripheral cortex and a central medulla. The bursa of Fabricus was consisted of mucosal folds (plicae). Numerous follicles filled the lamina propria of each fold and each bursal follicle was composed a peripheral cortex and a central medulla. A layer of undifferentiated epithelial cells occupied the periphery of the medulla, which was separated from the cortex by a capillary layer. The darkly stained cortex was composed of many closely packed small lymphocytes. The paler medulla contained fewer cells of various sizes. The spleen was surrounded by a thick splenic capsule and there were a small number of trabeculae. The white pulp was composed of network of reticular cells and reticular fibers within various size lymphocytes and plasma cells were diffusely distributed. The red pulp of the spleen was formed from venous sinuses and anastomosing cord of reticular cells, macrophages, lymphocytes and blood cells. The length and breadth of the thymic lobules, bursal follicles and white pulp of the spleen were 226.68 and 165.78cm, 204.45 and 138.23cm, and 129.05 and 103.43cm respectively. The result of the present work revealed that the immunocompetent cells were arranged scatteredly or densely as an unorganized lymphatic nodules in the lymphoid tissues. The length and breadth of the thymic lobules were higher followed by bursal follicle and splenic white pulps were varied within the lymphoid tissues and even one another in indigenous ducklings. The results of the present study indicate that the architecture and distribution of lymphocytes and lymphoid follicles of ducklings is very close to the chicken and this study might be helpful to understand the changes in the frequency of the population of immunocompetent cells in drug induced, vitamin and mineral supplemented or hormone treated duck in future.DOI = http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v9i1.11212 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2011). 9(1): 53-58 


Author(s):  
N. Dahariya ◽  
S. Sathapathy ◽  
U.K. Mishra ◽  
R. Patra ◽  
S. Dehury ◽  
...  

Background: Hansli chicken is reared in Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts of Odisha. They play a vital role in the economic upliftment of poor, landless and marginalised people in the rural areas besides providing them with nutritious egg and meat for consumption.Methods: Hansli chicks and Vencobb broiler chicks were divided into three age groups viz. group I (up to 1 month), group II (1-3 months) and group III (3-6 months) with six birds in each age group. On 4th week, 12th week and 24th week, six birds from each breed were used for the study of histomorphometrical features of the thymus, spleen and bursa of Fabricius. Result: The average thickness of the capsule, cortex and medulla of thymus, average width of thymic lobule and average maximum diameter of Hassall’s corpuscles differed significantly (p≤0.05) between the birds at specific ages. Similarly, the average thickness of the splenic capsule, average width of white pulp, average external transverse and internal longitudinal diameters of trabecular artery, average external longitudinal, internal longitudinal, external transverse and internal transverse diameters of central artery, average longitudinal diameter of capillary, average longitudinal and transverse diameters of splenic nodule, average thickness of PALS and PELS differed significantly (p≤0.05) between the birds at specific ages. The average number of bursal follicles in larger and smaller plicae, average height and width of larger and smaller plicae, average length and width of bursal follicle, average height of columnar cell of pseudostratified FAE and IFE, average nuclear height of FAE and IFE columnar cells differed significantly (p≤0.05) between the birds at specific ages.


1957 ◽  
Vol 106 (5) ◽  
pp. 627-640 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. G. Ortega ◽  
R. C. Mellors

The cellular sites of formation of γglobulin in lymphatic tissues of man and in a representative human lymphoid infiltrate have been studied by fluorescent antibody technique. The findings indicate that γ-globulin is formed in the germinal centers of lymphatic nodules and in the cytoplasm of mature and immature plasma cells of two types—those with and those without Russell bodies. The germinal center cells that synthesize γ-globulin have been designated "intrinsic" cells to distinguish them from the medium and large lymphocytes, and the primitive reticular cells that occur elsewhere and do not produce γ-globulin. Unlike the plasma cells, which function as individual units, the intrinsic cells apparently form γ-globulin only when they are arranged in discrete aggregations. The function, the blood supply, and the systematic cellular arrangement of germinal centers justifies the postulate that they are miniature organs of internal secretion of γ-globulin. The release of γ-globulin from its sites of formation appears to be accomplished by holocrine and apocrine secretion. Presumably, these secretory mechanisms are adaptations required for the production of antibody since they have not been described in parenchymal cells that form the other serum proteins. The cells found to form γ-globulin appear to be identical with those previously shown to form specific antibody in response to a variety of antigens in the experimental animal. This evidence indicates that normal γ-globulin, if it exists, originates in the same cells that produce antibody. It is suggested, also, that each of the 3 morphologically distinct categories of cells that synthesize γ-globulin represents a response to a particular form of antigenic stimulation. Nuclear participation in the process of γ-globulin synthesis was not detected by the technique employed.


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