Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2025
Visualizing Lymph Node Structure and Cellular Localization using Ex-Vivo Confocal Microscopy
Published on: August 9, 2019
Multilevel human secondary lymphoid immune system compartmentalization revealed by complementary imaging approaches
Benjamin L Oyler1, Jeferson A Valencia-Dávila1, Eirini Moysi1
1Tissue Analysis Core, Immunology Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Insights
This study reveals compartmentalization in human tonsils at cellular and molecular levels. Understanding this organization using advanced profiling methods can identify new targets for manipulating immune responses in lymphoid organs.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Immune reactions in secondary human lymphoid tissues are highly coordinated.
- Compartmentalization is a fundamental feature of lymphoid tissue organization.
- Understanding this compartmentalization requires advanced in situ profiling methodologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a complementary experimental approach to reveal aspects of lymphoid tissue compartmentalization.
- To analyze the cellular and molecular organization of human tonsils.
- To identify novel in situ interactions and molecular targets for manipulating immune reactions.
Main Methods:
- Combined single-cell phenotypic analysis using flow cytometry.
- Multiplex imaging and mass spectrometry-based methodologies.
- Analysis of human tonsil tissue.
Main Results:
- Revealed compartmentalized organization at cellular and molecular levels in human tonsils.
- Observed skewed distribution of specialized immune cell subsets and soluble mediators.
- Identified compartmentalized localization of lipids across different anatomical areas.
Conclusions:
- Combinatorial experimental approaches are valuable for studying lymphoid tissue organization.
- Findings can lead to the identification of novel in situ interactions.
- Potential for identifying molecular targets for in vivo manipulation of lymphoid organ immune reactions, especially germinal centers.
Abstract:
Secondary human lymphoid tissue immune reactions take place in a highly coordinated environment with compartmentalization representing a fundamental feature of this organization. In situ profiling methodologies are indispensable for the understanding of this compartmentalization. Here, we propose a complementary experimental approach aiming to reveal different aspects of this process. The analysis of human tonsils, using a combination of single cell phenotypic analysis based on flow cytometry and multiplex imaging and mass spectrometry-based methodologies, revealed a compartmentalized organization at the cellular and molecular levels. More specifically, the skewed distribution of highly specialized immune cell subsets and relevant soluble mediators was accompanied by a compartmentalized localization of several lipids across different anatomical areas of the tonsillar tissue. The performance of such combinatorial experimental approaches could lead to the identification of novel in situ interactions and molecular targets for the in vivo manipulation of lymphoid organ, particularly the germinal center, immune reactions.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Secondary Lymphoid Organs
The spleen is a vital organ in the lymphatic system, nestled in the upper left side of the abdomen. It is composed of two primary regions: the red pulp and the white pulp, each having distinct functions. The red pulp performs a significant role in blood filtration. It efficiently purges the blood of old or damaged red blood cells and...
01:16Primary Lymphoid Organs
The red bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue nestled in the interior of long bones such as the humerus and femur. It is the site...