Distribution of blood-borne particles of two different sizes in rat spleens

Expression of mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 on the reticular framework between white pulp and the marginal zone in the human spleen

The antigenic heterogeneity of the reticular framework of the white pulp and marginal zone is well documented in the human adult spleen. Immunostaining of α-smooth muscle actin characterizes the heterogeneity of the reticular framework of the white pulp and marginal zone. In the human spleen, the blood cells flow in an open circulation. T and B lymphocytes flow out from the arterial terminal, and migrate in the reticular framework. Homing of lymphocytes to lymphoid tissues is regulated by selective interactions between cell surface homing receptors and tissue vascular addressins at sites of lymphocyte recruitment from the blood. In the present study, mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 was selectively expressed on α-smooth muscle actin-positive reticular framework. The reticular framework may function in lymphocyte homing and segregation into the periarteriolar lymphoid sheath, lymph follicle and marginal zone.

Evaluation of phagocytic function of macrophages in rats after partial splenectomy

BACKGROUND

Understanding the immunologic properties of the spleen has enabled surgeons to practice splenic conservation surgery. If the upper pole of the spleen can be preserved solely on the upper short gastric vessels, will phagocytic function of macrophages in remnant splenic tissue be affected? The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the phagocytic function of macrophages in partially resected spleens, with hilar excision preserving the short gastric vessels.

STUDY DESIGN

Forty-eight female Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. Groups 1 and 2 underwent sham operations and groups 3 and 4 underwent partial splenectomy. One milliliter of sodium chloride 0.9% was injected into the abdomen of the rats in groups 1 and 3 and 1 mL of Streptococcus pneumoniae type III as an antigenic stimulus was injected into the abdomen of the rats in groups 2 and 4, 6 weeks after the first operation. Forty-eight hours later, relaparotomy was performed in all animals. India ink was used to determine the capacity of uptake in the splenic phagocytes. To evaluate the phagocytic function of the splenic tissues, histologic examinations were performed according to a macrophage grading system.

RESULTS

All spleens in all four groups were stained black after injection of India ink. Phagocytic activity of macrophages was reduced in the partially splenectomized groups, compared with intact spleen groups (group 3 versus group 1; p < 0.0001, group 4 versus group 2; p < 0.0001). There was a significant difference between groups 1 and 2 according to phagocytic function of macrophages (p = 0.0121). Also, after Streptococcus pneumoniae type III injection as an antigenic stimulus in group 4, we found that the phagocytic functions of macrophages increased compared with those of the sodium chloride 0.9%-injected group 3 after partial splenectomy (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Phagocytic function of macrophages in rats decreased after partial splenectomy. Nevertheless, the remnant spleens in rats could be stimulated when challenged with an antigenic stimulus.

Immunohistochemical and structural characteristics of the reticular framework of the white pulp and marginal zone in the human spleen

BACKGROUND

The reticular framework of the white pulp (WP) and marginal zone (MZ) consists of reticulum cells and reticulin fibers. The antigenic heterogeneity of the reticular framework is well documented in the mouse and rat spleen. The aim of the present study is to characterize the reticular framework of the WP and MZ of the human spleen.

METHODS

Nine surgically resected human spleens were investigated. Five of the nine spleens were perfused. Formalin-fixed materials were embedded in paraffin and serial sections prepared for hematoxylin-eosin, silver staining, and immunohistochemical examination. Electron and immuno-electron microscopy were also applied. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy, the reticular framework was analyzed three-dimensionally.

RESULTS

The reticulin fibers of the framework were immunostained for type IV collagen in the WP and MZ. The WP was three-dimensionally delimited by the alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA)-positive reticulum cells. In the WP, the distribution of alpha-SMA-positive reticulum cells formed the reticular framework of the periarteriolar lymphoid sheath (PALS). They also ensheathed the reticulin fibers. Interdigitating cells (IDCs) were scattered throughout the framework. A few IDCs attached to the framework. In the lymph follicle (LF), reticulum cells were not alpha-SMA-positive. The mesh of follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) was found in the germinal center. In places, the reticulin fibers were involved in the mesh of the FDCs and covered by the cytoplasm of FDCs. In the MZ, alpha-SMA-positive reticulum cells were arranged in a mesh pattern and ensheathed the fine reticulin fibers.

CONCLUSION

The reticular framework of the PALS, LF, and MZ is specialized into heterogeneous components in the human spleen. The heterogeneity of the framework may induce the segregation of T and B lymphocytes.

Application of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to visualize prolactin (PRL) and PRL mRNA in the normal and estrogen-treated rat pituitary glands using non-fluorescent probes

In the present study, we performed concomitant visualization of immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) on the materials processed for conventional light microscopic specimens using non-fluorescent Confocal Laser. Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). CLSM was used in the reflection confocal mode using horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-3-3'diaminobenzidine (DAB)-osmium (osmium black) and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) as non-fluorescent detection methods (probes). To obtain clearer images of the organelles, images that were built up as electronic signals in CLSM were processed in an image analysis system (IAS). By using the combination of CLSM and IAS, in IHC, immunohistochemical localization of prolactin (PRL) was in well-developed lamellar or whorling rough endoplasmic reticula (RER), Golgi apparatus, and secretory granules. With ISH, the expression and distribution of PRL messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) was observed in a fashion suggesting polysome-like structures on RER. These observations were confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy and electron microscopic ISH. The herein-described method is expected to be useful to perform the concomitant observation of IHC and ISH at subcellular levels using the conventional light microscopic specimens.

A new option for splenic preservation in normal sized spleen based on preserved histology and phagocytic function of the upper pole using upper short gastric vessels

Despite the recognized desirability of splenic salvage, forced splenectomy remains the rule in many operative situations, including trauma and pancreatic cancer. An anatomic study was conducted to assess whether the upper short gastric arteries provide sufficient collateral circulation to the spleen that the upper pole could remain viable even when the hilum is resected and the splenic artery and vein no longer intact. The anatomy of the upper short gastric vessels was studied in 59 human spleens and 18 albino rat spleens. Fifty-four human specimens (92%) and 18 (100%) of the rat spleens showed at least 1 upper short gastric artery and 1 vein connecting the fundus of the stomach with the interior of the upper pole of the spleen with no connection to the major hilar vessels. Lower two-thirds splenectomy, which included excision of the hilum of the spleen after ligation of both the splenic artery and vein, was performed on 14 of the 18 rats. The remaining 4 rats served as control animals. The upper pole of the spleen was preserved solely on the upper short gastric vessels that pass directly between the stomach and the interior of the spleen. Structure and macrophage function in the residual splenic tissue was shown to be preserved at 1 hour and 2 weeks postoperatively, based on results of the India ink technique for demonstrating phagocytic function and on results of regular histologic examination. Preservation was attributed to the fact that blood supply for the residual splenic tissue after splenic mass reduction remained adequate through the upper short gastric vessels. Splenic mass reduction is essential to improve perfusion to the residual splenic tissue if excision of the splenic hilum or ligation of the main splenic vessels becomes an operative necessity.

Postnatal development of the splenic white pulp in the golden hamster Mesocricetus auratus. I. The periarterial lymphoid sheath (PALS)

The histological organization of the periarterial lymphoid sheath (PALS) was studied during the postnatal life of the golden hamster Mesocricetus auratus with special interest in the cell components occurring in each of their regions. Our results suggest a role of the cell components defining the splenic microenvironment at each developmental stage in governing the developmental process. This process can be temporarily and histologically divide into three stages: 1. At birth, a few lymphocytes and lymphoblasts surrounding the central artery define primitive PALS. 2. A second period is determined on the 2nd day by the appearance of a marginal sinus which bounds the two splenic compartments, white and red pulp. The PALS increases circumferentially around the central artery defined by the pattern of reticular cells and fibres. 3. Between the 4th and 10th days, the PALS reaches its definitive organization, except for the absence of primary and secondary lymphoid follicles, defining an inner and outer region. The marginal zone appears on the 6th day.

In vivo administration of antibodies against type I collagen in rat: the specific accumulation in spleen

[125I]-labelled rabbit antibodies against rat type I collagen and non-immune IgG were injected into rat circulation. The kinetics of their clearance and the biodistribution in different organs were studied. Both preparations showed very similar clearance rate, the kinetics fitting bi-exponential approximation with characteristic parameters t1,1/2 = 201 +/- 20 min before 320 min and t2,1/2 = 1350 +/- 450 min at times over 320 min for antibodies and 258 +/- 45 min and 890 +/- 140 min for IgG. The specific affinity of the circulating antibodies did not decrease within 24 hours. The antibodies were specifically accumulated in spleen, where their accumulation was 5-fold higher than that of non-immune IgG. Accumulation of antibodies was maximal 3 hours after the injection. The localization ratio (i.e. the ratio of the amount of the antibodies per g of tissue to that per g of blood) reached a maximum 24 hours after the injection and remained stable for 120 hours. Immunofluorescent staining of spleen sections resulted in a bright fluorescence of dense collagenous structures in the trabeculae and in the wall of the central follicular arterium, bright spot fluorescence in the marginal zone of the follicle, and diffuse fluorescence in the red pulp. These findings suggest an unusually high accessibility of collagen type I in spleen to circulating blood plasma components.