An immunohistochemical study on the postnatal development of rat nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT).
This study concerns the development of nasal-associated lymphoid tissue in the rat, using immuno- and enzyme-histochemical staining techniques on cryostat sections. Nasal-associated lymphoid tissue is present at birth as a small accumulation of mainly T lymphocytes and nonlymphoid cells; B cells are rare. Distinct areas of T and B cells appear at 10 days after birth; by that time high endothelial venules are also observed. Intra-epithelial lymphocytes are present, most of them being T-helper cells. ED1+ macrophages are seen throughout the tissue. The proportion of ED1+ cells does not change during ontogeny. ED2+ cells (tissue macrophages) are present predominantly at the border between the lymphoid tissue and the surrounding connective tissue, in all age-groups. ED3+ mononuclear cells are scattered throughout the nasal-associated lymphoid tissue of young animals. Later on, the ED3+ cells migrate into the border-area between lymphoid and connective tissue. Ia+ non-lymphoid cells in the nasal lymphoid tissue increase in number during ontogeny. Only a few of them show acid phosphatase activity, indicating that the proportion of classical scavenger macrophages is low. Some of them may be antigen presenting (dendritic) cells. Ia+ dendritic cells also occur between the epithelial cells. Moreover, some epithelial cells express the Ia marker.
Hameleers
D M
DM
Department of Histology, Medical Faculty, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
van der Ende
M
M
Biewenga
J
J
Sminia
T
T
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains