title: Histological and immunohistochemical study of the lymphoid tissue in the normal stomach of the gnotobiotic pig.
abstract: Animal models have been developed in which the role of Helicobacter pylori in the pathogenesis of different gastroduodenal diseases can be investigated. The gnotobiotic pig was one of the first animal models used. In this model, Helicobacter pylori infection causes gastritis, which shows some similarities to that in humans, such as the development of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). Hence, this animal model can be used to study the development of MALT in the normal stomach. The aim of our study is to see if lymphoid tissue is present or absent in the normal stomach of gnotobiotic pigs before birth and if so, to investigate its development and composition as a function of gestational age and location in the stomach. Therefore, we studied 82 foetal piglets using routine histology and immunohistochemistry. Our findings show that lymphoid tissue is present at birth. It is composed of lymphoid nodules, a diffuse mononuclear infiltrate and intra-epithelial lymphocytes. The development is a sequential process. The lymphoid tissue in the stomach at birth is composed of the immunohistochemically different immunocompetent cells normally present. In conclusion, MALT is present in normal foetal gnotobiotic pig gastric mucosa, and in this model the stomach is no exception to the rest of the gastrointestinal tract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University Hospitals K.U.Leuven, U.Z. St. Rafaël, Minderbroedersstraat 12, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Driessen
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van Ginneken
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Creemers
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lambrichts
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weyns
authors.forename: Karel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Geboes
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ectors
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005856:Germ-Free Life / Q000502:physiology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology; D023421:Models, Animal; D013552:Swine / Q000502:physiology*