A three-dimensional reconstruction of high endothelial venules in the mouse lymph node: an enzyme-histochemical study

A three-dimensional reconstruction of high endothelial venules (HE-venules) of an entire mouse lymph node is presented. The reconstruction has been made by means of the histochemical technique for alpha-naphthylacetate esterase. The course of the HE-venules is shown in coherence with lymphocytic aggregates (follicles and unit), which were concomitantly reconstructed. Carbonic anhydrase, glutamate-, and alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase were found in the high endothelia, while calcium-stimulated NA+, K+ ATP-ase and the acetylcholinesterase were localized to the endothelia and/or to the perivascular sheath of the HE-venules and submarginal capillaries.