Evidence for the presence of immunoreactive POMC-derived peptides and cytokines in the thymus of the goldfish (Carassius c. auratus).
The presence of immunoreactive pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides (adrenocorticotropin hormone, beta-endorphin, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone) and of cytokine-like molecules [interleukin (I)-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-2, Il-6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha] was demonstrated in periodic acid-Schiff-positive epithelial cells in the thymus of the goldfish (Carassius c. auratus) using immunocytochemical procedures. POMC-derived peptide- and cytokine-like molecules were localized in the same cell type. Lymphocytes were negative for all the above mentioned molecules. Despite the smaller number of cells positive for neuropeptide- and cytokine-like molecules, our findings suggest that immune-neuroendocrine interactions are likely to occur in the thymus of goldfish.
Ottaviani
E
E
Department of Animal Biology, University of Modena, Italy.
Franchini
A
A
Franceschi
C
C
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis*; D006054:Goldfish / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology
D016207:Cytokines; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin