Ontogeny and function of two non-lymphoid cell populations in the chicken embryo

The purpose of the study was to determine what type of non-lymphoid cells develop in chicken embryos during ontogeny, and whether these cells are functional. To detect these cells, we used monoclonal antibodies specific to two groups of non-lymphoid cells: CVI-ChNL-68.1, specific for mononuclear phagocytes, and CVI-ChNL-68.2, specific for a subpopulation of reticulum cells in spleen, liver and bursa. Monoclonal antibodies HIS-C7, HIS-C1, and HIS-C12, which are specific to leukocytes, B lymphocytes, and IgM respectively, were used to correlate the ontogeny of non-lymphoid cells and lymphoid cells. Mononuclear phagocytes and reticulum cells were detected in the liver, spleen, yolk sac, bursa, gut, and thymus at about the same time as leukocytes, but earlier than B lymphocytes. To determine whether mononuclear phagocytes and reticulum cells in spleen and liver absorb antigen, we injected embryos intravenously with colloidal carbon and the antigen FITC-Ficoll. In addition, acid phosphatase was used as a marker for phagocytic activity. Reticulum cells in the liver and spleen were functional from the first point of detection, whereas mononuclear phagocytes in the liver and spleen started to absorb antigen a few days after their development.