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Characterisation of connective tissue cells containing factor XIII subunit a
R Adány1, M A Glukhova, A Y Kabakov
1Department of Clinical Chemistry, University School of Medicine, Debrecen, Hungary.
Journal of Clinical Pathology
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Certain connective tissue cells in human tissues express factor XIII subunit a, identified as macrophages. This finding helps differentiate macrophages from fibroblasts using factor XIII subunit a expression.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Histology
Background:
- Factor XIII (FXIII) is a transglutaminase crucial for stabilizing blood clots.
- The expression and cellular localization of FXIII subunits in human connective tissues are not fully elucidated.
- Distinguishing between macrophages and fibroblasts is important in various physiological and pathological contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and cellular localization of factor XIII subunit a in human liver, lymph node, and placenta.
- To characterize the cell types expressing factor XIII subunit a in these tissues.
- To differentiate FXIII subunit a-expressing cells from fibroblasts.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded human tissue sections (liver, lymph node, placenta).
- Double immunofluorescence labeling and combined immunofluorescence/enzyme cytochemistry on frozen sections.
- Immunoblotting of isolated placental macrophages and human fibroblasts.
- Characterization using monoclonal antibodies (RFD7, anti-Leu M3 for macrophages; IIG10 for fibroblasts).
Main Results:
- Factor XIII subunit a was detected in specific connective tissue cells in the liver, lymph node, and placenta.
- These cells were identified as macrophages based on positive staining with RFD7 and anti-Leu M3 antibodies.
- Fibroblast marker IIG10 was negative, and alkaline phosphatase activity was absent in these FXIII subunit a-positive cells.
- Immunoblotting confirmed FXIII subunit a in placental macrophages but not in human fibroblasts.
- Antibody against FXIII subunit b also reacted with these cells, but immunoblotting indicated cross-reactivity with subunit a, and placental macrophages showed weak staining for subunit b, suggesting FXIII subunit a is the primary antigen in these cells.
Conclusions:
- Factor XIII subunit a is expressed in macrophages within human liver, lymph node, and placenta.
- Macrophages can be distinguished from fibroblasts by their expression of factor XIII subunit a.
- This finding provides a potential marker for identifying macrophages in connective tissues.