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Jussiani GG, Março KS, Bertolo PHL, de Oliveira Vasconcelos R, Machado GF. Thymic changes due to leishmaniasis in dogs: An immunohistochemical study. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2022; 247:110416. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2022.110416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Abstract
The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of periodontal disease (PD) associated with physical exercise on inflammatory mediators and muscle repair. Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (SH), healthy trained (TH), sedentary with PD (SP), and trained with PD (TP). PD was induced in groups SP and TP while the trained groups performed treadmill exercises for 8 weeks. For the analysis of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and leukocyte count, we collected blood samples. Cryolesions were induced in the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius, which were analyzed for morphological changes. The presence of PD modified leukocyte counts, while exercise showed an additive role. PD increased levels of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α, and physical exercise changed only values of IL-10. The association between physical exercise and PD was responsible for an increased concentration of leukocytes in the region of the inflammation. Serum levels of inflammatory markers were modified by PD and, when combined with exercise, may negatively modulate inflammation. The association between PD and physical exercise showed the most significant changes in the number of inflammatory cells and may negatively influence the process of muscle repair.
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Varga I, Fedorová L, Klein M, Babala J, Jáger R, Bódi I, Plank L. The histological properties and possible origin of cervical thymus with cysts - A case report and hypotheses about its development. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019; 120:189-195. [PMID: 30844635 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.02.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Ectopic accessory thymic tissue usually presents as an asymptomatic neck mass found at any level corresponding to the embryonic descent of the thymus. This tissue may contain smaller or larger cysts. However, the exact pathogenesis of "enigmatic" cervical thymic cysts remains controversial. A 7-year-old boy was referred to our workplace for the evaluation of a cervical mass. An ultrasound suggested a multi-loculated cystic mass, while CT and MRI indicated a left-sided, anteriorly located cervical mass beneath the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Following the radiological findings, surgical excision revealed a cystic mass. The mass of tissue was covered by a capsule. In H&E staining, the cervical mass had the same structure as normal thymus. Additionally, immunohistochemical findings suggest that the cellular microenvironment of cervical thymus also displays a place for development of T-lymphocytes. Within the parenchyma multiple cysts lined with cytokeratin-positive thymic epithelial cells were found. Inside the cysts, there were CD68-positive multinucleated giant cells and cholesterol clefts. A tendency to cystic degeneration inside the thymic tissue occurs more often in cervical thymuses than in normally located ones. The reason for the formation of cysts is unknown. We summarized seven possible histological, embryological and evolutional backgrounds for the development of these thymic cysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Varga
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Medicine, Špitálska Street 24, SK-81372, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Lenka Fedorová
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Medicine, and The National Institute of Children's Diseases, Limbová Street 1, SK-833 40, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Martin Klein
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Medicine, Špitálska Street 24, SK-81372, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jozef Babala
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Medicine, and The National Institute of Children's Diseases, Limbová Street 1, SK-833 40, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - René Jáger
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Medicine, and The National Institute of Children's Diseases, Limbová Street 1, SK-833 40, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ildikó Bódi
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Semmelweis University, Faculty of Medicine, Tűzoltó Street 58. 10 85, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Lukáš Plank
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, and University Hospital Martin, Malá Hora 4A, 036 01, Martin, Slovakia
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Paiola M, Knigge T, Picchietti S, Duflot A, Guerra L, Pinto PIS, Scapigliati G, Monsinjon T. Oestrogen receptor distribution related to functional thymus anatomy of the European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 77:106-120. [PMID: 28756001 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In jawed vertebrates, the crosstalk between immune and endocrine system as well as many fundamental mechanisms of T cell development are evolutionary conserved. Oestrogens affect mammalian thymic function and plasticity, but the mechanisms of action and the oestrogen receptors involved remain unclear. To corroborate the oestrogenic regulation of thymic function in teleosts and to identify the implicated oestrogen receptor subtypes, we examined the distribution of nuclear and membrane oestrogen receptors within the thymus of the European Sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, in relation to its morpho-functional organisation. Immunohistological analysis specified thymus histology and organisation in teleosts and described, for the first time, Hassall's corpuscle like structures in the medulla of sea bass. All oestrogen receptors were expressed at the transcript and protein level, both in T cells and in stromal cells belonging to specific functional areas. These observations suggest complex regulatory actions of oestrogen on thymic function, notably through the stromal microenvironment, comprising both, genomic and non-genomic pathways that are likely to affect T cell maturation and trafficking processes. Comparison with birds, rodents and humans supports the thymic localization of oestrogen receptors and suggests that oestrogens modulate T cell maturation in all gnathostomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Paiola
- Normandy University, FR CNRS 3730 SCALE, UMR-I 02 SEBIO, Université Le Havre Normandie, F-76600 Le Havre, France
| | - Thomas Knigge
- Normandy University, FR CNRS 3730 SCALE, UMR-I 02 SEBIO, Université Le Havre Normandie, F-76600 Le Havre, France
| | - Simona Picchietti
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest Systems, Tuscia University, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Aurélie Duflot
- Normandy University, FR CNRS 3730 SCALE, UMR-I 02 SEBIO, Université Le Havre Normandie, F-76600 Le Havre, France
| | - Laura Guerra
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest Systems, Tuscia University, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Patricia I S Pinto
- Laboratory of Comparative Endocrinology and Integrative Biology, CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Giuseppe Scapigliati
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest Systems, Tuscia University, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Tiphaine Monsinjon
- Normandy University, FR CNRS 3730 SCALE, UMR-I 02 SEBIO, Université Le Havre Normandie, F-76600 Le Havre, France.
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Martínez-Vargas J, Ventura J, Machuca Á, Muñoz-Muñoz F, Fernández MC, Soto-Navarrete MT, Durán AC, Fernández B. Cardiac, mandibular and thymic phenotypical association indicates that cranial neural crest underlies bicuspid aortic valve formation in hamsters. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0183556. [PMID: 28953926 PMCID: PMC5617148 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most prevalent human congenital cardiac malformation. It may appear isolated, associated with other cardiovascular malformations, or forming part of syndromes. Cranial neural crest (NC) defects are supposed to be the cause of the spectrum of disorders associated with syndromic BAV. Experimental studies with an inbred hamster model of isolated BAV showed that alterations in the migration or differentiation of the cardiac NC cells in the embryonic cardiac outflow tract are most probably responsible for the development of this congenital valvular defect. We hypothesize that isolated BAV is not the result of local, but of early alterations in the behavior of the NC cells, thus also affecting other cranial NC-derived structures. Therefore, we tested whether morphological variation of the aortic valve is linked to phenotypic variation of the mandible and the thymus in the hamster model of isolated BAV, compared to a control strain. Our results show significant differences in the size and shape of the mandible as well as in the cellular composition of the thymus between the two strains, and in mandible shape regarding the morphology of the aortic valve. Given that both the mandible and the thymus are cranial NC derivatives, and that the cardiac NC belongs to the cephalic domain, we propose that the causal defect leading to isolated BAV during embryonic development is not restricted to local alterations of the cardiac NC cells in the cardiac outflow tract, but it is of pleiotropic or polytopic nature. Our results suggest that isolated BAV may be the forme fruste of a polytopic syndrome involving the cranial NC in the hamster model and in a proportion of affected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Martínez-Vargas
- Departament de Biologia Animal, Biologia Vegetal i Ecologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Jacint Ventura
- Departament de Biologia Animal, Biologia Vegetal i Ecologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Ángela Machuca
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Francesc Muñoz-Muñoz
- Departament de Biologia Animal, Biologia Vegetal i Ecologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - María Carmen Fernández
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| | | | - Ana Carmen Durán
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| | - Borja Fernández
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
- CIBERCV Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Málaga, Spain
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Mikušová R, Mešťanová V, Polák Š, Varga I. What do we know about the structure of human thymic Hassall’s corpuscles? A histochemical, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic study. Ann Anat 2017; 211:140-148. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2017.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Mešťanová V, Varga I. Morphological view on the evolution of the immunity and lymphoid organs of vertebrates, focused on thymus. Biologia (Bratisl) 2016. [DOI: 10.1515/biolog-2016-0137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Thome JJC, Grinshpun B, Kumar BV, Kubota M, Ohmura Y, Lerner H, Sempowski GD, Shen Y, Farber DL. Longterm maintenance of human naive T cells through in situ homeostasis in lymphoid tissue sites. Sci Immunol 2016; 1. [PMID: 28361127 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.aah6506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Naïve T cells develop in the thymus and coordinate immune responses to new antigens; however, mechanisms for their long-term persistence over the human lifespan remain undefined. Here, we investigated human naïve T cell development and maintenance in primary and secondary lymphoid tissues obtained from individual organ donors aged 3 months-73 years. In the thymus, the frequency of double-positive thymocytes declined sharply in donors over age 40 coincident with reduced recent thymic emigrants (RTE) in lymphoid tissues, while naïve T cells were functionally maintained predominantly in lymph nodes (LN). Analysis of TCR clonal distribution by CDR3 sequencing of naïve CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in spleen and LNs reveal site-specific clonal expansions of naïve T cells from individuals >40 years of age with minimal clonal overlap between lymphoid tissues. We also identified biased naïve T cell clonal distribution within specific lymph nodes based on VJ usage. Together these results suggest prolonged maintenance of naïve T cells through in situ homeostasis and retention in lymphoid tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J C Thome
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Boris Grinshpun
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Brahma V Kumar
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Masa Kubota
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Yoshiaki Ohmura
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | | | | | - Yufeng Shen
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Donna L Farber
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
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Yurchinskij VJ. Age-related morphological changes in Hassall’s corpuscles of different maturity in vertebrate animals and humans. ADVANCES IN GERONTOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1134/s2079057016020156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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10
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Zhang Q, Yang K, Yangyang P, He J, Yu S, Cui Y. Age-related changes in the morphology and protein expression of the thymus of healthy yaks (Bos grunniens). Am J Vet Res 2016; 77:567-74. [DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.77.6.567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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11
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Kulida LV, Peretyatko LP, Nazarov SB. Morphogenesis of human fetal thymus during weeks 22–27 of development. Russ J Dev Biol 2015. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062360415040049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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12
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Immunohistological analysis of the jun family and the signal transducers and activators of transcription in thymus. ANATOMY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:541582. [PMID: 25866678 PMCID: PMC4381968 DOI: 10.1155/2015/541582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2014] [Revised: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The Jun family and the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) are involved in proliferation and apoptosis. Moreover, c-Jun and STAT3 cooperate to regulate apoptosis. Therefore, we used double immunostaining to investigate the immunotopographical distribution of phospho-c-Jun (p-c-Jun), JunB, JunD, p-STAT3, p-STAT5, and p-STAT6 in human thymus. JunD was frequently expressed by thymocytes with higher expression in medullary compared to cortical thymocytes. p-c-Jun was frequently expressed by cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells (TEC) and Hassall bodies (HB). p-STAT3 was frequently expressed by TEC with higher expression in cortical compared to medullary TEC and HB. p-c-Jun, JunB, p-STAT3, p-STAT5, and p-STAT6 were rarely expressed by thymocytes. JunB and JunD were expressed by rare cortical TEC with higher expression in medullary TEC. p-STAT5 and p-STAT6 were expressed by rare cortical and medullary TEC. Double immunostaining revealed p-c-Jun and JunD expression in rare CD11c positive dendritic cells. Our findings suggest a notable implication of JunD in the physiology of thymocytes and p-c-Jun and p-STAT3 in the physiology of TEC. The diversity of the immunotopographical distribution and the expression levels of p-c-Jun, JunB, JunD, p-STAT3, p-STAT5, and p-STAT6 indicates that they are differentially involved in the differentiation of TEC, thymocytes, and dendritic cells.
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Terminally differentiated epithelial cells of the thymic medulla and skin express nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit α 3. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:757502. [PMID: 25105141 PMCID: PMC4101970 DOI: 10.1155/2014/757502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2014] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In the thymus, T cell maturation is influenced by cholinergic signaling, and the predominantly expressed receptor is the α3-subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, encoded by the chrna3 gene. We here determined its cellular distribution utilizing an appropriate eGFP-expressing reporter mouse strain. Neither T cells (CD4, CD8) nor mesenchymal cells (desmin-positive) expressed eGFP. In the thymic medulla, eGFP-positive cells either were scattered or, more frequently, formed small clusters resembling Hassall's corpuscles. Immunolabeling revealed that these cells were indeed terminally differentiated epithelial cells expressing keratin 10 (K10) but neither typical cortical (K8, K18) nor medullary keratins (K5, K14). These labeling patterns reflected those in the epidermis of the skin, where overlap of K10 and eGFP expression was seen in the stratum granulosum, whereas underlying basal cells displayed K5-immunoreactivity. A substantial portion of thymic eGFP-positive cells was also immunoreactive to chromogranin A, a peptide previously reported in epidermal keratinocytes in the stratum granulosum. Its fragment catestatin has multiple biological activities, including suppression of proinflammatory cytokine release from macrophages and inhibition of α3β4 nAChR. The present findings suggest that its thymic production and/or release are under cholinergic control involving nAChR containing the α3-subunit.
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Moser B, Janik S, Schiefer AI, Müllauer L, Bekos C, Scharrer A, Mildner M, Rényi-Vámos F, Klepetko W, Ankersmit HJ. Expression of RAGE and HMGB1 in thymic epithelial tumors, thymic hyperplasia and regular thymic morphology. PLoS One 2014; 9:e94118. [PMID: 24705787 PMCID: PMC3976415 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2013] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, a role of the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) in myasthenia gravis was described. RAGE and its ligand high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) play key roles in autoimmunity and cancer. To test whether these molecules are involved in patients with thymic abnormalities we applied immunohistochemical analysis in 33 cases of thymic epithelial tumors, comprising 27 thymomas and 6 thymic carcinomas, and 21 nonneoplastic thymuses. Both molecules were detected in neoplastic epithelial cells: RAGE staining was most intense in WHO type B2 thymomas and thymic carcinomas (p<0.001). HMGB1 nuclear staining was strongest in A and AB, and gradually less in B1 = B2>B3>thymic carcinoma (p<0.001). Conversely, HMGB1 cytoplasmic staining intensities were as follows: A and AB (none), B1 (strong), B2 (moderate), B3 and thymic carcinoma (weak); (p<0.001). Fetal thymic tissue showed a distinct expression of RAGE and HMGB1 in subcapsular cortical epithelial cells which was found in 50% of myasthenic patients. Furthermore RAGE and HMGB1 were expressed in thymocytes, macrophages, Hassall's corpuscles, thymic medulla, and germinal center cells in myasthenic patients. Immunohistochemistry results were complemented by systemic measurements (immunosorbent assay): serum levels of soluble RAGE were significantly reduced in patients with epithelial tumors (p = 0.008); and in invasive tumors (p = 0.008). Whereas RAGE was equally reduced in thymic hyperplasia and epithelial tumors (p = 0.003), HMGB1 was only elevated in malignancies (p = 0.036). Results were most pronounced in thymic carcinomas. Thus, RAGE and HMGB1 are involved in the (patho-)physiology of thymus, as evidenced by differentiated thymic and systemic expression patterns that may act as diagnostic or therapeutic targets in autoimmune disease and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Moser
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Division of Surgery, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail:
| | - Stefan Janik
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Division of Surgery, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Christine Bekos
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Division of Surgery, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for the Diagnosis and Regeneration of Cardiac and Thoracic Diseases, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anke Scharrer
- Department of Pathology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Mildner
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ferenc Rényi-Vámos
- Department of General and Thoracic Surgery, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Walter Klepetko
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Division of Surgery, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hendrik Jan Ankersmit
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Division of Surgery, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for the Diagnosis and Regeneration of Cardiac and Thoracic Diseases, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Asghar A, Syed YM, Nafis FA. Polymorphism of Hassall's corpuscles in thymus of human fetuses. Int J Appl Basic Med Res 2013; 2:7-10. [PMID: 23776800 PMCID: PMC3657993 DOI: 10.4103/2229-516x.96791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Hassall's corpuscles (HC) are commonly used as diagnostic features for identifying human thymus and are still present in thymuses undergoing fatty degeneration in young adults. However, few studies have been performed on human fetuses. Aim: A cross-sectional study was done, to study the morphology of HC in human fetuses. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight thymuses were collected from fetuses of gestational age ranging from 11 to 40 weeks. Thymuses were processed by paraffin embedding methods and hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results: The size of HC varied from very small (100 microns) to very large corpuscles (> 900 microns). A high level of polymorphism was also observed, from round to unusual or odd shapes corpuscles. The degenerated reticulo-epithelial cells represented the starting point in HC formation. The growth of HC was rapid, especially near 28 weeks, and the level of HC polymorphism was significantly greater after 28 weeks of gestation. In advanced stages of gestation, the increase in size of some corpuscles reduced the spaces between them, and some patterns strongly supported the hypothesis that some HC had fused in a single and larger corpuscle. Conclusion: The rapid rise in number and size of HC around 28 weeks of gestation would fit with their role in the negative selection process of thymocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adil Asghar
- Department of Anatomy, HIMSR, New Delhi, Anatomy, India
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17
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Histogenesis and Morphogenesis of Hassall's Corpuscles in Human Fetuses: A Light Microscopic Study. J ANAT SOC INDIA 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/s0003-2778(12)80025-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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18
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Bai M, Doukas M, Papoudou-Bai A, Barbouti A, Stefanaki K, Galani V, Kanavaros P. Immunohistological analysis of cell cycle and apoptosis regulators in thymus. Ann Anat 2012; 195:159-65. [PMID: 23058459 DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2012.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2012] [Revised: 07/19/2012] [Accepted: 07/30/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The combined expression patterns of cell cycle and apoptosis regulators have not been analyzed in details in human thymus to the best of our knowledge. Our objective was to provide multiparametric and combined immunohistological information regarding the expression levels and the topographical distribution of major cell cycle and apoptosis regulators in postnatal human thymus. Ki67 and cyclins A, B1, D3 and E were frequently expressed by thymocytes with higher expression in cortical than medullary thymocytes. The expression of cyclin D2 was low in thymocytes. Thymic epithelial cells (TEC) exhibited low expression of Ki67 and cyclins. Bid was frequently expressed by thymocytes, Bcl-xL by cortical thymocytes and Bcl-2 by medullary thymocytes. The expression levels of Bim and survivin in thymocytes were low. The expression levels of Bax and Mcl-1 were higher in medullary than cortical thymocytes and TEC. Bak and Bad were mainly expressed in medullary TEC and Hassall Bodies (HB). c-FLIP and Fas were frequently expressed in TEC and FasL was mainly expressed by medullary TEC and HB. Cleaved caspase-3 was expressed by scattered thymocytes at the cortex and the corticomedullary junction and very rarely at the medulla. The different expression profiles and immunotopographical distribution of cell cycle and apoptosis regulators in thymocytes and TEC indicate that their expression is tightly regulated during thymic cell differentiation and that they are differentially involved in the cell survival/death regulation of thymocytes and TEC. Furthermore, this study indicates decrease of the proliferation and caspase-dependent apoptosis of thymocytes from the cortex to the medulla.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Bai
- Department of Pathology, University of Ioannina, Greece.
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Vigliano FA, Losada AP, Castello M, Bermúdez R, Quiroga MI. Morphological and immunohistochemical characterisation of the thymus in juvenile turbot (Psetta maxima, L.). Cell Tissue Res 2011; 346:407-16. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-011-1282-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2011] [Accepted: 10/24/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Cimpean AM, Ceauşu R, Encică S, Gaje PN, Ribatti D, Raica M. Platelet-derived growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α expression in the normal human thymus and thymoma. Int J Exp Pathol 2011; 92:340-4. [PMID: 21645144 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2613.2011.00777.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and its receptors (PDGFRs) are strongly involved in the normal development of several organs, tumour angiogenesis and malignant progression and metastasis. Few studies concerning their expression, distribution and role in normal and pathological human thymus are available in the literature. The aim of this study has been to analyse the immunohistochemical expression of PDGF and PDGFR-α in prenatal and postnatal normal human thymus and thymomal biopsy specimens. The results demonstrated immunoreactivity to both PDGF and PDGFR-α in all specimens, but the intensity, distribution and number of positive cells were different in normal thymus and thymomas, and also among different tumour types. PDGF and PDGFR-α were weakly expressed in foetal and postnatal humans with a different distribution between cortex and medulla in both blood vessels and epithelial cells, whereas they were overexpressed in thymoma, especially in type B2 and B3, in the tumour epithelial cells. Overall, these data suggest that PDGF and PDGFR-α may be involved in the pathophysiology of the human thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca Maria Cimpean
- Department of Histology, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania
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Varga I, Jablonska V, Cingel V, Kubikova E, Dorko F, Polak S. The first histological and immunohistochemical examination of thymus in a case of fetus in fetu. Ann Anat 2010; 192:232-6. [PMID: 20634048 DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2010.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2010] [Revised: 05/22/2010] [Accepted: 05/24/2010] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Fetus in fetu (FIF) is a rare condition with less than 150 cases reported in the world to the best of our knowledge. It is a malformed monozygotic twin ("non-dominant twin"), which is found inside the body of a living child or sometimes in an adult ("dominant twin"). Different organs can be seen in these fetuses; vertebral column limbs, central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, vessels, and genitourinary tract. In the literature, we found only two cases of fetus in fetu with the present thymic tissue. In this paper, the thymus of non-dominant twin exteriorized from the mediastini of dominant twin, was analyzed by histological and imunohistochemical methods. Even though the majority of organs did not develop normally in the mentioned case, thymic tissue was proved to be present in many body parts of the non-dominant twin. In spite of the fact that the cortex and the medulla were not so distinguishable as in the normal thymuses, presence of many basic cell populations was demonstrated: thymic epithelial cells (AE1/AE3 positive cells), T (CD45RO positive) and B (CD20 positive) cells, macrophages (CD68 positive cells), dendritic cells (S100 positive cells) and myoid cells (desmin positive). The Hassall's bodies were localized mostly in the medulla, however in sporadic cases they occurred in the area close to the connective tissue septa. The superficial epithelial cells of the Hassall's corpuscules as well as their internal contents, were markedly stained by alcian blue, and the cystic formations, found inside the Hassall's bodies, contained PAS-positive substance, similar to Hassall's bodies of normal thymuses. This fact indicates that although development of the parasitic twin is incomplete, all three germ layers participate on its development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Varga
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia.
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Marinova TT, Spassov LD, Vlassov VI, Pashev VV, Markova MD, Ganev VS, Dzhupanova RS, Angelov DN. Aged human thymus hassall's corpuscles are immunoreactive for IGF-I and IGF-I receptor. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2009; 292:960-5. [PMID: 19488994 DOI: 10.1002/ar.20920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Although Hassall's corpuscles have been proposed to act in both maturation of developing thymocytes and removal of apoptotic cells, their function remains an enigma. The involvement of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in the local autocrine and paracrine control of T-cell development in human thymus is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the structure and distribution of IGF-I and IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR)-immunopositive Hassall's corpuscles in aged human thymus using bright-field immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy. We report new immunocytochemical data for the presence of IGF-I/IGF-IR double-immunopositive Hassall's corpuscles in structurally preserved regions of age-involuted thymus and discuss the involvement of these unique thymic components in the local regulation of T-cell development and thymus plasticity during aging by IGF-I/IGF-IR-mediated cell signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsvetana Ts Marinova
- Department of Biology, Medical Genetics and Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Bulgaria.
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Mohammad MG, Raftos DA, Joss J. Cytoskeletal proteins in thymic epithelial cells of the Australian lungfish Neoceratodus forsteri. J Anat 2009; 214:140-52. [PMID: 19166477 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2008.00995.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate thymus consists of distinctive subpopulations of epithelial cells that contain a diverse repertoire of cytoskeletal proteins. In this study of the thymus in the Australian lungfish, Neoceratodus forsteri, immunohistochemistry was used to distinguish the cytoskeletal proteins present in each class of thymic epithelial cell. A panel of antibodies (Abs), each specific for a different cytoskeletal polypeptide (keratins, vimentin, desmin, actin and tubulins), was used on paraffin and ultrathin resin sections of thymus. Ab AE I (reactive against human type I cytokeratins (CK) 14, 16 and 19) selectively stained the cytoplasm of capsular, trabecular and the outermost epithelial cells of Hassall's corpuscles. Anti-CK 10 Abs strongly labelled the capsular epithelial cells and less than 20% of cortical and medullary epithelial cells. The anti-50-kDa desmin Ab did not react with any thymic cells, whereas the anti-53-kDa desmin Ab labelled some capsular, cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells. The anti-vimentin Ab stained most of the capsular and ~60% of the cortical epithelium. Thymic nurse cells and Hassall's corpuscles were found to be devoid of actin, which was strongly detected in medullary and perivascular epithelium. Both alpha and beta tubulins were detected in all thymic cells. This study extends the concept of thymic epithelial heterogeneity. The complexity of thymic epithelium in N. forsteri may indicate a relationship between thymic epithelial subpopulations and the thymic microenvironment. These data identify anti-keratin Abs as a valuable tool for studying differentiation and ontogeny of the thymic epithelium in N. forsteri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad G Mohammad
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF), and its receptors (VEGFR1, 2) in normal and pathologic conditions of the human thymus. Ann Anat 2008; 190:238-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2007.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2007] [Accepted: 05/28/2007] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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