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Related Concept Videos

Development of the Lymphatic System01:15

Development of the Lymphatic System

The development of lymphatic tissues and vessels in embryonic life begins around the fifth week. These structures originate from the mesoderm layer, with lymph sacs emerging from developing veins.
The first lymph sacs to form are the paired jugular lymph sacs located at the junction of the internal jugular and subclavian veins. From these sacs, lymphatic capillary plexuses extend to the thorax, upper limbs, neck, and head, eventually forming lymphatic vessels. Each jugular lymph sac maintains a...
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A thymus candidate in lampreys.

Baubak Bajoghli1, Peng Guo, Narges Aghaallaei

  • 1Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stuebeweg 51, D-79108 Freiburg, Germany.

Nature
|February 5, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Lamprey larvae possess thymus-like structures called thymoids, crucial for developing T-like lymphocytes. These thymoids are sites for variable lymphocyte receptor (VLR) gene assembly, similar to thymus function in jawed vertebrates.

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Two-step Approach to Explore Early- and Late-stages of Organ Formation in the Avian Model: The Thymus and Parathyroid Glands Organogenesis Paradigm

Published on: June 17, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Vertebrate Zoology

Background:

  • Jawless vertebrates (lampreys and hagfish) possess a unique immune system distinct from jawed vertebrates.
  • Lampreys utilize somatically diversified variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs) instead of immunoglobulins for antigen recognition.
  • The primary lymphoid organs for lymphocyte development in jawless fish remain largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the existence and function of primary lymphoid organs in lampreys.
  • To identify potential sites for T-like lymphocyte development and VLR gene diversification.

Main Methods:

  • Identification and histological analysis of lympho-epithelial structures in lamprey larvae.
  • Gene expression analysis of FOXN1, CDA1, and VLRA in identified structures.
  • Detection of non-functional VLRA gene assemblies.

Main Results:

  • Discrete thymus-like structures, termed thymoids, were identified in lamprey gill filaments.
  • Thymoids showed co-expression of FOXN1, CDA1, and VLRA, indicative of T-like cell development.
  • Non-functional VLRA gene assemblies were prevalent in thymoids, supporting their role in VLR diversification.

Conclusions:

  • Lamprey thymoids serve as primary lymphoid organs analogous to the thymus in jawed vertebrates.
  • These findings highlight conserved features in the development of adaptive immunity across vertebrate lineages.
  • The study deepens our understanding of immune system evolution in early vertebrates.