Increased numbers of CD5+ B cells in the thymus of estradiol benzoate-treated rats.
In the present work we combine both flow cytometry and in situ immunohistochemical techniques to study the changes affecting a minor B cell population described within the normal rat thymus, after treatment with estradiol benzoate (EB). Our results, in agreement with previous data, show that the vast majority of these intrathymic B cells are CD5+. The existence of CD5+ B cells was confirmed flow cytometrically in both cervical lymph nodes and spleen of control, adult Wistar rats. Moreover, after EB administration intrathymic B cells increased significantly especially in those rats receiving 500 micrograms of EB, constituting cell masses around the blood vessels of cortico-medullary area and in the thymic medulla. We discuss the significance of this increased number of intrathymic CD5+ B cells, which is probably due to a selective cell migration from the periphery into the thymus, from the view of the effects of estradiol on the thymic vascular permeability.
Martín
A
A
Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain.
Vicente
A
A
Torroba
M
M
Moreno
C
C
Jiménez
E
E
Zapata
A G
AG
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D018956:CD5 Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D018655:Lymphocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*
D018956:CD5 Antigens; C074283:estradiol 3-benzoate; D004958:Estradiol