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Published on: May 29, 2020
Immunophenotypic characterization of hepatic inflammatory cell infiltrates in common dolphins (Delphinus delphis)
1Departamento de Morfología, Facultad de Veterinaria de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
Insights
Hepatitis and cholangitis were identified in common dolphins. Immunohistochemistry revealed immune cell involvement in these liver diseases, suggesting complex immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Marine Mammal Health
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) can be affected by various liver pathologies.
- Understanding the immune response in dolphin liver disease is crucial for conservation and welfare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunohistochemical characteristics of non-specific reactive hepatitis and chronic parasitic cholangitis in common dolphins.
- To identify the types and distribution of immune cells within affected liver tissues.
Main Methods:
- Histopathological examination of liver samples from 14 common dolphins.
- Immunohistochemical staining using antibodies for CD3, S100 protein, and IgG.
- Analysis of immune cell distribution in portal areas, hepatic sinusoids, and lymphonodular lesions.
Main Results:
- Twelve dolphins exhibited non-specific reactive hepatitis; three had chronic parasitic cholangitis with lymphoid proliferation.
- CD3(+) T-cells, S100 protein-expressing cells (lymphocytes, Kupffer cells, bile duct epithelium), and IgG(+) plasma cells were prevalent in affected areas.
- Lymphonodular lesions in cholangitis showed organized immune cell structures expressing S-100 and MHC class II, indicative of antigen presentation.
Conclusions:
- Non-specific reactive hepatitis in dolphins involves T-cells and plasma cells in portal and sinusoidal areas.
- Chronic parasitic cholangitis lesions feature organized lymphoid structures with potential for antigen presentation to B and T cells.
- Immunohistochemistry is valuable for characterizing immune responses in common dolphin liver diseases.
Abstract:
Of 14 common dolphins, 12 showed non-specific reactive hepatitis and three chronic parasitic cholangitis with lymphoid proliferation. Non-specific reactive hepatitis was shown immunohistochemically to be associated with small clusters of CD3(+) cells in portal areas and hepatic sinusoids. Polyclonal antibody against S100 protein reacted with a variable number of lymphocytes from portal areas and hepatic sinusoids, as well as with Kupffer cells and epithelial cells of the bile ducts. The majority of plasma cells observed in portal areas and hepatic sinusoids were IgG(+). In lymphonodular lesions of chronic parasitic cholangitis, the distribution of immunoreactive cells was similar to that found in the cortex of lymph nodes. The presence of stellate cells similar to follicular dendritic and interdigitating cells expressing S-100 protein and MHC class II antigen in lymphonodular lesions suggested that these were highly organized structures developed to enhance antigen presentation to B and T cells.
