Histological study of conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue in mouse.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue (CALT) in the mouse conjunctiva by histological methods.


METHODS
The presumed follicular tissue in the conjunctiva of normal mice, age ranging from 4 to 6 weeks, was histologically investigated by the hematoxylin-eosin staining method. Next, we treated the mice with topical instillation of a combined solution of ovalbumin and cholera toxin B to investigate the morphological changes of conjunctival follicles to antigen challenge. The treated mice underwent sequential clinical examinations, and the conjunctival follicular tissue was examined by an immunohistochemical method using anti-CD4 antibody, anti-CD8 antibody, and anti-S-100 antibody.


RESULTS
Follicular tissue was present on the mouse nictitating membrane. Both size and number of follicular tissue areas increased with topical ovalbumin treatment. Immunohistochemical study revealed CD4, CD8, and S-100 positive cells in the follicular tissue. The epithelial layer, corresponding to follicular tissue, demonstrated intra-epithelial pocket and the presence of CD4-positive cells in the intra-epithelial pocket.


CONCLUSIONS
Follicular tissue at the nictitating membrane is CALT in the mouse.
Sakimoto
Tohru
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Shoji
Jun
J
Inada
Noriko
N
Saito
Keiko
K
Iwasaki
Yutaka
Y
Sawa
Mitsuru
M
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D007107:Immune System; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D009418:S100 Proteins