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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Isolation of Murine Lymph Node Stromal Cells
Published on: August 19, 2014
The sinus endothelial cell architecture in the mouse lymph node. Structural peculiarities and close correlation with
1Department of Medical and Morphological Research, University of Udine, Italy. enrico.crivellato@Kolbe.drmm.uniud.it
Insights
Mouse lymph node sinuses have unique endothelial cells. These sinus endothelial cells may originate from fibroblastic reticular cells, suggesting a potential cellular origin within the lymph node structure.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Histology
Background:
- Lymph node sinuses are critical for immune surveillance.
- The cellular composition and origin of sinus endothelial cells remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the architecture of sinus endothelial cells in mouse lymph nodes.
- To explore the potential relationship between sinus endothelial cells and fibroblastic reticular cells.
Main Methods:
- Light and electron microscopy were employed.
- A specific histochemical method using an osmium-zinc iodide mixture for tissue fixation was utilized.
Main Results:
- The osmium-zinc iodide reaction visualized sinus endothelial cells and fibroblastic reticular cells.
- Interruptions in the sinus endothelial cell lining were observed, with fibroblastic reticular cells contacting the sinus lumen.
- Transitional cells with intermediate morphology between sinus endothelial cells and fibroblastic reticular cells were identified.
Conclusions:
- Sinus endothelial cells share structural similarities with fibroblastic reticular cells.
- The presence of transitional cells suggests sinus endothelial cells may originate from the migration and differentiation of fibroblastic reticular cells.
Abstract:
The sinus endothelial cell architecture has been studied in the mouse lymph node by light and electron microscopy after tissue fixation with an osmium-zinc iodide mixture. This histochemical method allowed visualization of sinus endothelial cells in the medullary and, partly, in the intermediate sinuses. The osmium-zinc iodide reaction also demonstrated fibroblastic reticular cells, which represent the main stromal cell population in the lymph node and form the skeletal framework of the organ as well as the adventitia of sinuses. In the mouse lymph nodes, sinuses were lined by a simple layer of sinus endothelial cells whose integrity and continuity showed interruptions of various extension. In areas devoid of complete sinus endothelial cell lining, fibroblastic reticular cells located in the nearby parenchyma were able to reach the border of the sinus, being thus in direct contact with the lumen content. Dendritic sinus endothelial cells as well as intermediate forms between sinus endothelial cells and fibroblastic reticular cells could be observed. The close structural characteristics that sinus endothelial cells have in common with fibroblastic reticular cells and the finding of transitional cells with intermediate morphology between sinus endothelial cells and fibroblastic reticular cells, suggest a possible origin of sinus endothelial cells by migration and differentiation of fibroblastic reticular cells located in the sinus adventitia.
