Meseguer J, López-Ruiz A, García-Ayala A. Reticulo-endothelial stroma of the head-kidney from the seawater teleost gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.): an ultrastructural and cytochemical study.
Anat Rec (Hoboken) 1995;
241:303-9. [PMID:
7755169 DOI:
10.1002/ar.1092410303]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Head-kidney, considered the major fish lympho-haemopoietic tissue, consists of cells of the different haemopoietic series supported by a network of stromal cells whose morphofunctional properties have not been established. We report the ultrastructure and cytochemical features of the reticulo-endothelial stroma of the head-kidney from the seawater teleost gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.).
METHODS
Samples of head-kidney were processed for electron microscopic study. Some of the samples were incubated for acid and alkaline phosphatase, peroxidase, glucose-6-phosphatase, or ATPase.
RESULTS
The reticulo-endothelial stroma of gilthead seabream head-kidney consists of sinusoidal cells (endothelial and adventitial cells) and reticular cells (macrophage-type reticulum and fibroblast-like reticular cells). Transcytosis vesicles and rounded medium electron-dense granules were observed in the cytoplasm of the endothelial cells. The adventitial cells partially covered the outside surface of the endothelial cells and were joined by desmosomes. The macrophage-type reticulum cells were characterized by their cytoplasmic processes and acid phosphatase positive lysosomes. The fibroblast-like reticular cells were joined by desmosomes and formed an extensive network between the haemopoietic parenchyma. They were peroxidase negative and acid and alkaline phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase, and ATPase positive.
CONCLUSIONS
The ultrastructural and cytochemical features of the reticulo-endothelial stroma of the gilthead seabream head-kidney are similar to those of mammalian bone marrow, suggesting phylogenetic analogies between both tissues.
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