title: Immunohistological characterization of thymic dendritic cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dendritic cells play key roles in thymic histophysiology and histopathology. Therefore, we analyzed the immunotopographical distribution of cells expressing markers of dendritic cells and macrophages in postnatal human thymus.
  
  
  METHODS
  The streptavidin-biotin peroxidise-labeled (LSAB) and the double-LSAB/alkaline phosphatase/anti-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) immunohistochemical procedures were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  S100 protein-, Cluster of designation 1a (CD1a)-, CD207-, CD11c- and CD123-positive cells, many of them exhibiting the morphology of dendritic cells, were detected in the cortex but mainly in the medulla. These markers, except CD123, were also detected in cells of juvenile and immature Hassall bodies. CD68- and CD163-positive cells were detected in the cortex and the medulla but not in Hassall bodies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The immunohistological detection of S100-, CD1a-, CD207- and CD11c-positive dendritic cells in juvenile and immature Hassall bodies may reflect an important role of these structures in the cooperation of epithelial and dendritic cells in the process of T-cell differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papoudou-Bai
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Michalis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doukas
authors.forename: Kalliopi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stefanaki
authors.forename: Panagiota
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spyridonos
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Karatzias
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barbouti
authors.forename: Vassiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Galani
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kanavaros
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D009418:S100 Proteins