Distribution and developmental change of lymphoid tissues in the chicken proventriculus

In the chicken proventricular mucosa, aggregations of lymphocytes were localized in three different sites of the lamina propria, namely, underneath the surface epithelium, near the duct orifice of the deep proventricular gland, and in the gland tissue itself. In the lymphoid masses underneath the surface epithelium and in those near the duct orifice, CD4+ T lymphocytes and TCR2+ T lymphocytes occupied their central part, and B lymphocytes were localized in the periphery. CD8+ T lymphocytes and TCR1+ lymphocytes were evenly distributed in the masses. Infiltration of lymphocytes into these sites was first observed on the 20th embryonic day. At 1 week after hatching, CD3+ lymphocytes began to occupy the central area of the masses and His-C1+ B lymphocytes tended to be located in the periphery. Ultrastructurally, M cells were found neither in the epithelium of the mucosa nor in that of the excretory duct close to the lymphoid masses. In the deep proventricular gland, the lymphoid masses had a germinal center consisting of B lymphocytes, surrounded by the T lymphocyte-rich periphery. These masses were first recognized at the 3rd post-hatching week, presumably being formed against possible antigens invading into the lumen of the proventricular gland. On the other hand, the lymphoid masses beneath the surface epithelium and those near the duct orifice existing before the hatching period were considered to be prepared to establish the local mucosal immune barriers against the expectant antigenic invasion.