[Histological study of conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue in mice].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue (CALT) in mouse conjunctiva.


METHODS
We examined normal mice, ranging in age from 4 to 6 weeks, to investigate the presence of follicular tissue histologically. Next, we treated mice by topical instillation of ovalbumin and cholera toxin B, and then examined conjunctival follicles by immunohistological methods.


RESULTS
Follicular tissue was present at the nictitating membrane. Both size and amount of follicular tissue was increased by the topical ovalbumin treatment. Immunohistological examination revealed CD4, CD8, and S-100 protein positive cells in follicular tissue. The epithelial layer, corresponding to follicular tissue, had intraepithelial pockets and CD4 positive cells in the pockets.


CONCLUSIONS
It was concluded that the follicular tissue at the nictitating membrane is CALT in mice.
Sakimoto
Tohru
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Ooyaguchikami-machi, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan.
Shoji
Jun
J
Saito
Keiko
K
Inada
Noriko
N
Iwasaki
Yutaka
Y
Sawa
Mitsuru
M
D000818:Animals; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D009418:S100 Proteins