title: Studies on the ultrastructure and histochemistry of the lymph system of Gastrodiscoides hominis (Paramphistoma: Digenea).
abstract: The lymphatic system of the paramphistome, Gastrodiscoides hominis consists of numerous fluid-filled branches embedded in parenchyma and surrounded by extracellular material and is closely associated with the major organ systems of the fluke. The lymph matrix consists of a cytoplasmic syncytium within which nuclei, mitochondria and various sized granules and membranous structures occur. The granules found throughout the lymph system morphologically resemble autophagosomes and lysosomes. The lymph system provides a storage site for proteins which can be broken down to amino acids via autophagy, for subsequent mobilization and transport to tissues undergoing active protein synthesis. Many branches of the lymph system are surrounded by specialized parenchymal cells referred to as juxta-lymphatic cells. These cells are apparently associated with autophagic degradation of sequestered lymph cytoplasm, which may serve as an additional mechanism for the mobilization and transport of precursor molecules throughout the fluke via the parenchymal network.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cell and Experimental Biology, School of Biology and Biochemistry, Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland, U.K.
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Nizami
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010250:Paramphistomatidae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013552:Swine