title: B cells and T-lymphocyte subsets of the head-associated lymphoid tissues of the chicken.
abstract: The head-associated lymphoid tissues of the chicken, composed of the harderian gland and the conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue (CALT), were studied to determine whether changes occurred in lymphocyte subpopulations as chickens age from 1 week to 8 weeks. The B cells and subpopulations of T-lymphocytes of the head-associated lymphoid tissues were identified using in situ immunohistochemical staining. Monoclonal antibodies specific for various lymphocyte surface antigens were used. The concentration of T-lymphocytes, particularly CD3+ and CD4+ cells, within the harderian gland increased with age, whereas the concentration of B cells remained the same. B-lymphocytes were observed within the germinal centers of the CALT of 4-week-old birds. The T-lymphocytes within the CALT surrounded the B-cell-rich germinal centers. CD3+ T-lymphocytes were the predominant cell population in all age groups examined. Increasing concentrations of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T-lymphocytes were observed within the CALT as chicks developed from 1 week to 4 weeks of age. Finally, no changes were observed in lymphocyte populations within the CALT as chicks developed from 4 weeks to 8 weeks of age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames 50011, USA.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Maslak
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D015415:Biomarkers; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002645:Chickens; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006243:Harderian Gland / Q000276:immunology; D006257:Head; D006799:Housing, Animal; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015415:Biomarkers; D017252:CD3 Complex