The ontogeny of chicken bursal stromal cells defined by monoclonal antibodies

Molecules expressed on lymphoid stromal cells influence the differentiation of lymphocytes. We have examined the expression of stromal markers, identified by monoclonal antibodies, in the chicken bursa of Fabricius during ontogenic development. These results are also consistent with the hypothesis that medullary secretory cells are of mesenchymal origin, whereas the basement membrane-associated and some medullary epithelium are derived from the endoderm. Our results have demonstrated the complexity of bursal stromal development with determinants expressed on the adult medullary stellate cells (e.g., MUI-57 and 62) and cortical macrophages (e.g., MUI-66 and 72) detected on the early embryonic tunica propria (e.g., MUI-57, 66 and 72) or surface epithelium (e.g., MUI-62 and 66). In addition, we provide preliminary evidence regarding potential functions of these molecules in stem cell colonization (MUI-52), early B-cell differentiation (e.g., MUI-72), late bursal B-cell development (MUI-69 and 71) and the follicle-associated epithelium transport mechanism (MUI-61 and 73).