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Expression of intermediate filaments and N-cadherin adhesion molecule in the thymus of domesticated birds
1Department of Humanmorphology and Developmental Biology, Semmelweis University Medical School, Budapest, Hungary.
Stromal cells of the thymus from the domestical birds (chicken and guinea fowl) were studied by antibodies against their intermediate filaments (keratin, vimentin and desmin). The medulla revealed large irregular shaped keratin free areas, surface of which is dentate but sharply outlined. The keratin free areas are connected with the substance of the interlobular septae which indicates that the medullary microenvironment is rather similar to that of the peripheral lymphoid tissue. The vimentin intermediate filament is expressed by the entire medullary region. The immunologically competent medullary T cells are vimentin positive unlike the immature cortical T cells. The anti-desmin antibody revealed a three dimensional network in the medulla which includes desmin negative "channels". The myoid cells, locating close to the "channels", are possibly the well-differentiated forms of the desmin positive network. N-cadherin is expressed by the cortico-medullary epithelium and it is suggested that this adhesion molecule plays some role in the thymocyte selection. Both keratin and desmin intermediate filaments indicate that the medulla of the thymus has a complex stromal structure which further compartmentalizes the thymic medulla.
Stromal cells of the thymus from the domestical birds (chicken and guinea fowl) were studied by antibodies against their intermediate filaments (keratin, vimentin and desmin). The medulla revealed large irregular shaped keratin free areas, surface of which is dentate but sharply outlined. The keratin free areas are connected with the substance of the interlobular septae which indicates that the medullary microenvironment is rather similar to that of the peripheral lymphoid tissue. The vimentin intermediate filament is expressed by the entire medullary region. The immunologically competent medullary T cells are vimentin positive unlike the immature cortical T cells. The anti-desmin antibody revealed a three dimensional network in the medulla which includes desmin negative "channels". The myoid cells, locating close to the "channels", are possibly the well-differentiated forms of the desmin positive network. N-cadherin is expressed by the cortico-medullary epithelium and it is suggested that this adhesion molecule plays some role in the thymocyte selection. Both keratin and desmin intermediate filaments indicate that the medulla of the thymus has a complex stromal structure which further compartmentalizes the thymic medulla.