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Perforin-like immunoreactivity in feline globule leukocytes and their distribution
1Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
Insights
Feline globule leukocytes (GLs) are a distinct cell type found in cat organs, particularly the intestines. These cells are identified as a type of large granular lymphocyte, similar to those found in mice.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Globule leukocytes (GLs) are granulated cells found in various animal tissues.
- Their specific lineage and function in felines remain incompletely understood.
- Previous studies have not fully characterized feline GLs using modern immunohistochemical techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution and immunohistochemical features of feline globule leukocytes (GLs).
- To determine the cellular lineage and potential function of feline GLs.
- To compare feline GL characteristics with similar cell types in other species.
Main Methods:
- Light microscopy was used to examine tissue distribution.
- Histochemical stainings (PTAH, alcian blue, peroxidase) were employed to assess cell composition.
- Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies against perforin and histamine.
Main Results:
- Feline GLs were predominantly found in the epithelia of the intestine and gallbladder, with less frequent occurrence in the stomach, liver, and pancreas.
- No GLs were observed in respiratory or urogenital organs.
- Histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses indicated GLs are a homogeneous population, expressing perforin-like immunoreactivity but not histamine, suggesting a large granular lymphocyte lineage.
- Feline GLs exhibited epitheliotropism and granular lymphocyte characteristics similar to mouse intestinal gamma delta T cells.
Conclusions:
- Feline globule leukocytes (GLs) represent a distinct population of large granular lymphocytes.
- Their distribution and characteristics suggest a role in mucosal immunity within the feline gastrointestinal tract.
- Feline GLs share similarities with intestinal gamma delta T cells in mice, indicating potential conserved functions across species.
Abstract:
Distributional and immunohistochemical characteristics of the feline globule leukocyte (GL) were investigated by light microscopy. The GL, which contained eosinophilic large granules in the cytoplasm, was frequently found in the epithelia of the intestine and gall bladder, and less frequently found in those of the gastric pit, intrahepatic bile duct, and interlobular secretory duct of the pancreas. No GL was seen in the respiratory and urogenital organs. The GLs composed a homogeneous cell population including no mast cells according to the following histochemical stainings; phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin, alcian blue and peroxidase. The feline GL showed perforin-like immunoreactivity to anti-human perforin monoclonal antibody, but did not show histamine-immunoreactivity to anti-histamine polyclonal antibody. The results suggest that the feline GL is a lineage of large granular lymphocytes. The epitheliotropism and characteristics as granular lymphocytes of the feline GLs were similar to those of the intestinal gamma delta T cells of the mouse.
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