title: Immunohistochemical study of the reticular and vascular network of mouse lymph node using vibratome sections.
abstract: The function of lymph nodes is greatly influenced by their unique microanatomy, in which distinct subpopulations of cells are compartmentalized by a meshwork of reticular cells and fibres, specialized blood and lymphatic vessels and nerves. Using antibodies against extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (fibronectin, collagen IV and laminin), proteoglycan (perlecan), and a fibroblastic marker (ERTR-7), the distribution and molecular organization of the system of reticular fibres was investigated by three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction methods. Fibronectin, collagen IV and laminin are restricted to reticular fibres and have a similar distribution pattern, whereas perlecan is limited to the vascular system of the lymph node. Various compartments of the lymph node, such as the B-cell follicle, paracortex (including the high endothelial venules and paracortical cord), and medulla have been reconstructed to visualize their vasculature with respect to B and T cells. Since the morphology of lymph nodes may change significantly in pathological conditions, different compartments of reactive lymph node (after low-dose Listeria monocytogenes infection), especially germinal centres, were also investigated. The data presented here should facilitate our understanding of the 3D organization of non-immune cell components of lymph nodes, which is crucial for cell adhesion, migration, activation, and differentiation in normal and pathological conditions.
authors.affiliation: Gene Regulation and Differentiation, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstrasse 7, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany. bma@gbf.de
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Jadwiga
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jablonska
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lindenmaier
authors.forename: Kurt E J
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Dittmar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000032:analysis; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000473:pathology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000166:cytology*; D008867:Microtomy / Q000379:methods*; D012155:Reticulin / Q000032:analysis*; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005353:Fibronectins; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans; D012155:Reticulin; C071927:perlecan