title: Diffuse lymphoid tissue associated with the human bulbourethral gland. An immunohistologic characterization.
abstract: This study investigates the presence and distribution of immunocompetent cells in bulbourethral glands obtained from four multiorgan transplant donors. Monoclonal antibodies reacting with B (Leu 12+) and T (Leu 4+) cells, suppressor-cytotoxic cells (Leu 2+), helper-inducer (Leu 3a+) and natural killer (Leu7+) phenotypes, monocyte-macrophages, (LeuM3+), and cells expressing interleukin-2 receptor and HLA-DR antigen were tested in all specimens using an indirect immunoperoxidase staining procedure. T lymphocytes were estimated to represent 10% of the mucosal cell population. Almost all intraepithelial lymphocytes were suppressor-cytotoxic (CD8+) cells. The results demonstrate the presence of a defined distribution of immunocompetent cells in these sex accessory glands. Their role in combatting infections or other chronic genitourinary diseases is still undefined.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Urologica, Università di Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Migliari
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riva
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lantini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Melis
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Usai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D002030:Bulbourethral Glands / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2