Clastic cells of Hassall's corpuscles during acute involution of the thymus induced by cyclophosphamide in guinea pigs.
General and histochemical observations of the thymus were carried out in guinea pigs after injection of cyclophosphamide (280 mg/kg). Acute involution of the thymus induced by cyclophosphamide was accompanied by marked enlargement of Hassall's corpuscles in the first week after injection. However, the markedly enlarged Hassall's corpuscles disappeared entirely by the fourth week. Large cells characterized by pale nuclei with one or two prominent nucleoli became aggregated in the enlarged Hassall's corpuscles by the second week. Their cytoplasm frequently was foamy or vesicular in appearance. Histochemical observations revealed strong activities of nonspecific esterase, acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase in these cells. Staining for these lysosomal hydrolytic enzymes was evident not only intracellularly but also extracellularly, indicating the dissolution of Hassall's corpuscles by intensive extracellular enzyme release.
Kotani
M
M
Department of Anatomy, Kyoto College of Medical Technology, Japan.
Nawa
Y
Y
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004950:Esterases / Q000032:analysis; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000032:analysis; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D004950:Esterases; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D005966:Glucuronidase