Ontogeny of lymphoid organs and development of IgM-bearing cells in Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.).
In teleost fish, the head kidney, thymus, and spleen are generally regarded as important immune organs. In this study, the ontogeny of these organs was studied in Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus), larvae at various stages of development. We observed that the kidney was present at hatching, the thymus at 33days post hatch (dph), while the spleen was the last organ to be detected at 49dph. All three lymphoid organs were morphologically well developed during late metamorphic stages. Real time RT-PCR analysis showed that IgM mRNA expression could be observed at 66dph and later, which correlates well with in situ hybridisation data showing that a few IgM positive cells could be detected in the anterior kidney and spleen from 66dph. Our data also showed that the highest levels of IgM mRNA could be detected in halibut spleen. Immunostaining using a monoclonal antibody against halibut IgM detected IgM positive cells at 94dph in both the head kidney and the spleen, which is much later than the IgM mRNA. Numerous cells expressing both IgM mRNA and protein could be detected in the spleen and anterior kidney and also to some extent in thymus specimens from adult halibut.
Patel
Sonal
S
Institute of Marine Research, Nordnesgaten 50, N-5817 Bergen, Norway. sonal.patel@imr.no
Sørhus
Elin
E
Fiksdal
Ingrid Uglenes
IU
Espedal
Per Gunnar
PG
Bergh
Oivind
O
Rødseth
Odd Magne
OM
Morton
H Craig
HC
Nerland
Audun Helge
AH
D000818:Animals; D005432:Flounder / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D007075:Immunoglobulin M