[Immuno-histochemical identification of initial lymphatics: the contour and distribution pattern of initial lymphatics in the human foreskin of the penis].
OBJECTIVE
There has not been an established method to distinguish initial lymphatics from blood capillaries under the light microscopy. In this study, we examined the usefulness of the immuno-histochemical staining method using a monoclonal anti-desmoplakin antibody in identifying initial lymphatics under the light microscopy. The specificity of this reaction was confirmed by the immuno-electron microscopy.


METHODS
The cryostat sections of the human foreskin were observed under light microscopy by indirect immunoperoxidase method with the anti-desmoplakin mouse monoclonal antibody, and compared with the hematoxylin and eosin sections. These cryostat sections were also observed under electron microscopy by pre-embedding immunoperoxidase method with the same antibody.


RESULTS
Under the light microscopy, the initial lymphatics of the human foreskin were visualized by the method with anti-desmoplakin antibody. These lymphatics were mainly distributed in the dermal layer, on the other hand, rarely seen in dermal papillae. Being usually found in closed shape, the lumens of initial lymphatics were hardly recognized as initial lymphatics by the ordinary hematoxylin and eosin staining. Under the immuno-transmission electron microscopy, the peroxidase-desmoplakin antibody precipitations were located on the surface of the endothelial cells of the vasculature which lacked pericytes and basal lamina, and was composed of endothelial cells alone. By these features of the vascular structures, the vessel reacting with anti-desmoplakin antibody was identified as initial lymphatics.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows the reliability and specificity of the immuno-histochemical method by anti-desmoplakin antibody in identifying initial lymphatics under light microscopy, and this method will be useful in studying the fine distribution of lymphatic vessels in normal human tissue.
Fukuda
H
H
Department of Urology, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical School.
Yamada
T
T
Kamata
S
S
Sakai
Y
Y
Ichiyanagi
N
N
Tanizawa
A
A
Nagahama
K
K
Watanabe
T
T
Saitho
H
H
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D051180:Desmoplakins; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D010413:Penis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012867:Skin
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C495294:DSP protein, human; D051180:Desmoplakins; C495295:Dsp protein, mouse