1. Peptidergic innervation of the Bursa Fabricii: interrelation with T-lymphocyte subsets.
- Author
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Zentel HJ, Nohr D, Albrecht R, Jeurissen SH, Vainio O, and Weihe E
- Subjects
- Animals, Antibodies, Monoclonal, CD4 Antigens immunology, CD8 Antigens immunology, Chickens, Ganglia metabolism, Immunoenzyme Techniques, Immunohistochemistry, Microchemistry, Neuropeptide Y immunology, Bursa of Fabricius immunology, Neuropeptides immunology, T-Lymphocytes immunology
- Abstract
In birds, B-lymphocytes mature in a special immune organ, the Bursa Fabricii. This organ thus offers unique possibilities for the study of the microenvironment of B-lymphocyte differentiation. We previously reported tachykinin-, vasoactive intestinal peptide-, calcitonin gene-related peptide- and galanin-immunoreactive (ir) fibres in the chicken bursa. As judged from light microscopic studies, each of the peptides was found in fibres contacting B-lymphocytes. Vasoactive intestinal peptide-ir fibres contacted macrophages. Now, we demonstrate neuropeptide Y, indicating the sympathetic nervous system, in fibres associated with arteries, not entering the follicles. CD4- and CD8-positive T-lymphocytes were dispersed in bursal follicles and the connective tissue, most densely in subepithelial regions. We could not find close apposition of fibres with either T-cell subset. We conclude that the potential neuro-immune axis in the Bursa Fabricii may represent a neuro-B-cell-link with only indirect participation of T-lymphocytes. The sympathetic input may influence the bursal microenvironment primarily by regulating the blood supply.
- Published
- 1991
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