title: The detection of mature T- and B-cells during development of the lymphoid tissues of the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii).
abstract: The distribution of T- and B-cells in the developing lymphoid and immunohaematopoietic tissues of the tammar wallaby were investigated using antibodies to the mature cell surface markers, CD3, CD5 and CD79b. In the thymus, CD3- and CD5-positive T-cells were first observed at day 12 postpartum whilst rare B-cells were first detected at day 23. Both T- and B-lymphocytes were first stained on day 21 postpartum in the spleen and day 24 in lymph nodes. In one sample from a 7-day-old animal, rare CD79b-positive (CD79b+) lymphocytes were observed in the gut-associated lymphoid tissues. However, CD3+ cells were not apparent until day 12 and CD5+ cells were not detected until day 74 postpartum. No lymphocytes were detected in liver or bone marrow samples and no bronchus-associated lymphoid tissues were observed. The pattern of development and the distribution of T- and B-cells in the lymphoid and immunohaematopoietic tissues were similar to those observed in eutherian mammals and in limited studies of other metatherians. However, the detection of apparently mature T- and B-cells in the thymus and gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) at the same postnatal age highlights the need for a more substantial study of the development of GALT. This is, at present, limited by availability of marsupial-specific antibodies.
authors.affiliation: Cooperative Research Centre for Conservation and Management of Marsupials, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Old
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Deane
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000276:immunology; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D051925:CD79 Antigens; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology; D007614:Macropodidae / Q000276:immunology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D015415:Biomarkers; D017252:CD3 Complex; D051925:CD79 Antigens