Secondary sensory cells in the gravity receptor system of the statocyst of Octopus vulgaris

Summary The presence of secondary sensory cells in the Octopus gravity receptor system has been demonstrated. In serial thin sections of the receptor cells (hair cells) no axons were found leaving the cells. Instead, synapses were observed with synaptic vesicles lying inside the receptor cells. Both data clearly indicate that the receptor hair cells represent secondary sensory cells. In addition, efferent contacts to the receptor cells could be confirmed.This work was supported in part by grant Wo 160/5 of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft to Prof. Dr. H.G. WolffThe experimental work was done in part at the Zoological Station in Naples and at the Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of the USSR Academy of Sciences (Laboratory of Prof. Dr. Ya.A. Vinnikov), Leningrad, USSR. The authors thank Prof. Vinnikov and Dr. Tsirulis for stimulating discussions     

Studies on the innervation of the endometrium

Summary The innervation of the endometrium of rabbit, rat, mink, mongoose and pig has been investigated electron microscopically. Large bundles of nerve fibers can be observed in the connective tissue spaces within the basal layer of the endometrium. Unmyelinated nerve fibers enter the lamina functionalis, terminal nerve fibers penetrate the basal lamina and make contact with the glandular and the cavum epithelial cells. The terminal axons contain abundant synaptic vesicles, dense core vesicles and mitochondria. To date, no specialized presynaptic or postsynaptic membranes have been found.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Bonn-Bad Godesberg (Grants Ku 210/5 and Be 524/4).Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Drs. h.c. Wolfgang Bargmann on his 70th birthday in friendship and admiration.     

Differentiation of ovarian and testicular interstitial cells during embryonic and post-embryonic development in mice

Summary Different steps in mouse ovarian and testicular development have been studied in order to compare the time sequences during the in vivo differentiation of steroidogenic cell populations growing in contact with male and female gonocytes. These time sequences indicated a basic common developmental pattern: early signs of steroid synthesis in the male gonad, but late entering into meiotic prophase of XY germ cells; early meiosis but late steroidogenic activity in the ovary. In both male and female interstitial tissues, signs of involution were found following a period of exponential development.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. med. H. Leonhardt on the occasion of his 60th birthdaySupported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Pe 104/8)We wish to thank Dr. B. Nabarra, M.-F. Rousseau-Merck and D. Sandoz for helpful advices throughout this study, as well as Mrs. L. Andrianarison and Mrs. R. Sprang for skilful assistance     

Functional characteristics of Peyer's patch lymphoid cells. IV. Effect of antigen feeding on the frequency of antigen-specific B cells.

The frequency of B cells in Peyer's patches from normal BDF(1) and sheep red blood cell (SRBC)-fed BDF(1) mice that could respond to antigenic determinants on SRBC and trinitrophenyl (TNP) was determined using an in vitro system of limiting dilution analysis. In normal mice, one B cell in 1.9 x 10(4) Peyer's patch cells could be induced to an anti-SRBC response and one B cell in 3.6 x 10(4) Peyer's patch cells could be induced to an anti-TNP response. The frequency of B cells capable of responding to SRBC in normal mice was similar in Peyer's patches and spleen. However, after feeding mice SRBC for 3 weeks, there was a 6-fold reduction in the frequency of B cells in Peyer's patches capable of responding to SRBC but no change in the frequency of B cells capable of responding to TNP. The average clone size of Peyer's patch B cells responding to SRBC was similar in normal and SRBC-fed mice. Although antigen-feeding does not stimulate Peyer's patch B cells in situ to humoral antibody synthesis, antigen-feeding can markedly alter the reactivity of the antigen-sensitive cell population in Peyer's patches. We previously demonstrated that T cells in Peyer's patches could be specifically carrier primed for helper function by SRBC feeding. We have now demonstrated that antigen-feeding reduced significantly the frequency of B cells in Peyer's patches capable of responding to the fed antigen. Peyer's patches appear to serve an important function as a sampling site for intestinal antigens.     

Gene expression profiling of jejunal Peyer’s patches in juvenile and adult pigs

Peyer's patches are organized lymphoid tissues of the small intestine that play a critical role in disease resistance and oral tolerance. Peyer's patches in the jejunum contain lymphocytes, dendritic cells, macrophages, villous epithelium, and specialized follicle-associated epithelium. Little is known about the mechanisms and processes by which cells of the Peyer's patches discriminate food nutrients and commensal microflora from pathogenic microbiota. We hypothesize that the jejunal Peyer's patches express genes that mediate and regulate its essential functions. Expression patterns of approximately 2600 cDNAs from a porcine Peyer's patch subtracted library were examined by microarray profiling. Individual mRNAs of interest were further examined by quantitative RT-PCR. Innate immunity-associated genes, including complement 3 and lysozyme, and the genes for epithelial chloride channel and trappin 1 were highly expressed by jejunal Peyer's patch in both juvenile and adult pigs. The growth- and apoptosis-associated genes CIDE-B, GW112, and PSP/Reg I (pancreatic stone protein or regenerating gene) were differentially expressed in juvenile pig Peyer's patches. Many sequences which were highly expressed in jejunal Peyer's patches have previously been described with functions in epithelial cells. Animal-to-animal variation in basal jejunal Peyer's patch gene expression was considerable and reflects the dynamic physiological environment of the gut in addition to genetic, epigenetic, and microbiological variation in the small intestine.     

Evidence for corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) synthesis in the preoptic nucleus of Xenopus laevis tadpoles

Summary For the study of the hypothalamo-hypophysial system of Xenopus laevis tadpoles, hypothalamic lesions were made by means of the electrocoagulation technique. Lesioning of the ventral region of the preoptic nucleus resulted in a decrease of the number of ACTH cells in the pars distalis of the pituitary gland and in a diminution of the PAS-positive reaction of these cells. In addition, regeneration of the neurosecretory cells of the ventral region of the preoptic nucleus observed 6 weeks after lesioning was accompanied by the reappearance of normal PAS-positive ACTH cells in the pars distalis. It is suggested that the neurosecretory cells of the ventral region of the preoptic nucleus of Xenopus laevis tadpoles are related to the ACTH synthesizing cells, probably by producing CRF.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. med. W. Bargmann on the occasion of his 70th birthdayThe authors thank Prof. Dr. J.C. van de Kamer for his interest, Prof. Dr. P.G.W.J. van Oordt for his many helpful comments, and Messrs. H. van Kooten, E. van der Vlist, J.J. van der Vlis and M.C.A. van Pinxteren for preparing the illustrations     

Distribution of substance P receptors on murine spleen and Peyer's patch T and B cells

Previous studies have demonstrated that the sensory neuropeptide substance P (SP) can modulate immune responses in vitro. Work from this laboratory has shown that SP enhances immunoglobulin synthesis by murine splenic and Peyer's patch lymphocytes stimulated with concanavalin A. One mechanism underlying these effects is the binding of SP to specific receptors on lymphocytes. We examined the distribution of SP receptors on murine T and B lymphocytes and their subsets by one and two color fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. The specificity and nature of binding was examined using radiolabeled SP, and competitive inhibition experiments were performed with cold SP. In cytofluorimetry experiments, both T and B lymphocytes from Peyer's patches and spleen were bound to SP, with those from Peyer's patches having a higher proportion than lymphocytes from the spleen. The majority of T cells from both organs bound SP with binding being evenly distributed between Lyt-1+ and Lyt-2+ cells. Similarly, the majority of B lymphocytes from spleen and Peyer's patches showed SP binding. There were no significant isotype-specific differences within any organ. Studies using 125I-labeled SP showed specific binding to all lymphocyte subpopulations examined. SP receptors were fewer in number on cells isolated from spleen than on cells from Peyer's patches although the dissociation constants were similar for all populations examined. These studies demonstrated that SP receptors are present both on murine T and B lymphocytes from Peyer's patches and spleen. There is no evidence for differential SP receptor expression on distinct lymphocyte subsets in spleen or Peyer's patches.     

Beitrag zur Populationsgenetik der Pyruvatkinase menschlicher Erythrocyten

Summary In 214 healthy young Germans the activity of Pyruvatekinase from red blood cells has been determined. Three persons had values in the heterozygote range between 10.0 and 20.0 U. Suggesting a 2-allele-model the frequency of the three phenotypes in the German population can be calculated as followed: PK(A)=98.6%, PK(AB)=1.4%, PK(B)=0.005%.No correlation could be found between the distribution of blood-and serum-groups and the enzyme-activity.

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Direktor: Prof. Dr. med. G. W. Löhr

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Direktor: Prof. Dr. med. G. G. Wendt

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Mit dankenswerter Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Volkswagen-Stiftung.

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Herrn Professor Dr.H. E. Bock, Tübingen, zum 65. Geburtstag gewidmet. Wesentliche Teile dieser Arbeit werden von Olaf Praetsch der Medizinischen Fakultät als Dissertation vorgelegt.     

Differential surface characteristics of M cells from mouse intestinal Peyer''s and caecal patches

Summary The mouse caecal patch is located near the blind end of the caecum, and consists of a group of lymphoid follicles. In common with the Peyer's patches, the follicle-associated epithelium overlying these follicles is largely composed of enterocytes, goblet cells and membranous epithelial (M) cells. Each of these types of cell was readily identified by electron microscopy, although caecal patch enterocytes and M cells were morphologically distinct from those of the Peyer's patches. Staining for alkaline phosphatase activity demonstrated that the majority of caecal follicle-associated epithelial cells were alkaline phosphatase-negative, positive cells consisting of a mixture of enterocytes and M cells. In contrast, it has previously been found that Peyer's patch enterocytes are positive for alkaline phosphatase while the M cells are relatively lacking in alkaline phosphatase activity. Lectin histochemistry revealed that surface glycoconjugate expression differs between the caecal and Peyer's patch follicle-associated epithelial cells; in particular, the characteristic staining of Peyer's patch M cells by Ulex europaeus agglutinin 1 was absent on the caecal patch follicle-associated epithelium. These altered surface characteristics indicate that the development of the caecal patch follicle-associated epithelial cells is influenced by the local environment, and these altered properties may be indicative of modified functional roles for the cells at this site.     

Immunocytochemical detection of dendritic cell by S-100 protein in the chicken.

Positivity for S-100 protein in paraffin embedded chicken lymphoid tissue was found by using a polyclonal antibody against whole bovine S-100 protein. The S-100 protein-containing cells were observed in the locations which have been reported to contain avian dendritic cells such as the medulla of the bursal follicles, and the germinal centers and T-dependent areas in the spleen, Peyer's patches, caecal tonsil and Harderian gland. Positive cells were also found in the location where ellipsoid associated cell have been described, and between epithelial cells covering the Peyer's patches and the caecal tonsil, as well as between the cells lining the ducts within the Harderian gland. Macrophages were devoid of immunostaining. Our results confirm the location described elsewhere for chicken dendritic cells and indicate that S-100 protein can be considered as a cell marker for the identification of the chicken dendritic cell. Intraepithelial positive cells may be interdigitating dendritic cells in an unusual location (their function being the transport of the antigen from the epithelium to the diffuse lymphoid tissue), or cytotoxic T-lymphocytes which, in mammals, are immunoreactive for S-100 protein.     

Formation of Peyer's patches

Formation of Peyer's patches requires complex interactions between the gut epithelium, the mesenchyme, and bone-marrow-derived hematopoietic progenitors. The first Peyer's patches anlage appear around embryonic day 15.5, when the endoderm has undergone transition to a simple epithelium, the lymphatic vessels have reached the intestinal mucosa, and mesenchymal cells have started to form clusters. Recent data using knockout mice provide insight into the molecular nature of the signals that mediate Peyer's patch ontogeny. These include members of the tumor-necrosis factor family and homeostatic chemokines.     

A comparative study of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue of primates and rodents

Previous studies have suggested that the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) of man is distinct from that of laboratory animals, but it is not clear whether this is due to environmental or true species difference. We have made a comparative study of rats and baboons because, like rats, baboons are herbivorous and relatively unhygienic but they are phylogenetically much more closely related to man. The Peyer's patches of rats, baboons and man are morphologically very similar in all three species but phenotypically those of man and baboons are different to those of rats. Cells with irregular nuclei ("centrocyte-like" cells) surround the mantle zone in all three species. While these cells express surface IgD and IgM in rats, in man and baboons they express surface IgM or IgA. A population of immunoblasts which express cytoplasmic IgA are present in association with the high endothelial venules of rat Peyer's patches. These cells are not present to the same extent in man or baboons. This suggests that the events between the antigenic stimulation of Peyer's patches and the ultimate seeding of the lamina propria with IgA secreting plasma cells may be different in rodents and primates.     

Immune cells associated with M cells in the follicle-associated epithelium of Peyer's patches in the rat

Summary Follicle-associated epithelium of Peyer's patches can be differentiated from nearby villous epithelium by the presence of M cells which are antigen-sampling epithelial cells, and by an increase in intraepithelial lymphocytes that are in close contact with M cells. The phenotype of the immune cells close to the M cells of the follicle-associated epithelium of rat Peyer's patches was determined by immunohistochemistry and compared with that of the intra-epithelial lymphocytes of the villous epithelium. Lymphoid T cells, predominantly of the cytotoxic/suppressor phenotype, were observed both in follicle-associated epithelium and in villous epithelium. Lymphoid B cells, mainly immunoblasts and plasma cells containing intracytoplasmic IgM, were present only in the follicle-associated epithelium, near M cells. Macrophages were also present, in contact with M cells, in follicle-associated epithelium, but not in villous epithelium. In addition, M cells bore Ia molecules on their apical membranes. These findings reinforce the concept of immune specialization of the follicle-associated epithelium, by demonstrating that this epithelium contains all the effector cells of immune responses.     

Haemopoietic recovery during radiation disease: Comments on combined-injuries

Summary The regenerative ability of haemopoietic organs during combined radiation injuries has not been adequately investigated. Interactions among individual factors can critically influence the processes involved in haemopoietic recovery. An overview of radiation injuries is given, and a concept towards a hypothetical mode of action at the cellular level is presented. The influence which interacting factors can have on the concentration of pluripotential haemopoietic stem cells (HSC) is demonstrated by results from an initial experiment. The importance of synergistic and antagonistic reactions is emphasised and commented upon.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. med. Otfried Messerschmidt, München, on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Cellular routes of invasion by enteropathogens

The cellular pathways of infection utilized by pathogenic enteric bacteria have important implications for their clinical manifestations. Yersinia reaches Peyer's patches via M cells and uses plasmid-encoded factors to resist phagocytic cells. Shigella also translocates via M cells and incapacitates phagocytes, but subsequently re-enters the epithelium basolaterally to elicit an acute inflammatory response. Salmonella has recently been shown to both colonize Peyer's patches via M cells and independently disseminate to extraintestinal sites via CD18-expressing phagocytes. M cell-mediated entry can lead to gastroenteritis and mucosal antibody production, while systemic dissemination can result in septicemia and elicitation of systemic immune responses.     

Structural and immunologic indicators of Peyer's patches in the human fetus

Histological and immunological methods were used for the investigation of the development of Peyer's patches in the ileum of 110 human fetuses of 8-29 weeks of gestation. The formation of Peyer's patches and the increased number of lymphatic follicles in them are described. Beginning from 8th-9th week of gestation T- and B-lymphocytes and their subpopulations (auto-RFC, EAC-RFC, IgM- and IgG-positive cells) can be identified in mononuclear cell suspension obtained from Peyer's patches. An increase in their number during embryogenesis and the pathways of lymphocyte migration are shown. By the moment of birth "O" cells dominant in Peyer's patches and later on E-RFC and IGM-positive cells prevail. Auto-RFC are the most scanty. The authors regard Peyer's patches as peripheral organs of immunogenesis involved in local defensive reactions and in the fetal immunogenesis system on the whole.     

Ependyma and ependymal protrusions of the lateral ventricles of the rabbit brain

Summary The ependymal lining of the lateral ventricles of the rabbit brain was studied by means of scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). There exist cells devoid of cilia in the anterior horn over the region of the caudate nucleus, in the inferior horn over the hippocampus and on the opposite side over cortical regions. On the surface of some of these ependymal cells, accumulations of cytoplasmic folds and globules can be found. They bulge at different height over the ependymal cells. Clots of these cell particles are tied off from the cell, coming to lie as globules either on or between the cilia of the ependyma. TEM reveals that these tissue protrusions are cell debris consisting of different sized vesicles, cell organelles, tubuli and filaments. They originate from the ependymal layer but may reach down to subependymal cells. Multivesicular protrusions into the ventricular lumen are also observed. Possible causes of these protrusions are discussed; they are likely to be related to the age of the animals.On the ependyma of the caudate nucleus cilia, microvilli, microblebs and supraependymal neuronal cell processes are distributed unevenly over the surface. Within regions where cilia predominate there are cells which are tightly covered with microvilli. A certain direction of the course of the supraependymal neuronal fibers could not be found.The author is pleased to acknowledge useful discussions with Prof. Dr. med. E. van der Zypen. This study was partly supported by the Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation     

Somato-dendritic synapses in the paraventricular organ of two anuran species

Summary The ultrastructure of the paraventricular organ ofXenopus laevis andRana esculenta has been investigated. Special attention has been paid to contact regions between nerve cells of the paraventricular organ and other nerve cells.According to the results of the glutaraldehyde-osmium tetroxide fixation as well as the zinc iodide-osmium method, it appears that the perikarya of several nerve cells of the paraventricular organ make synaptic contacts with dendrites of other nerve cells. It is suggested that the presence of the somato-dendritic synapses is a morphological indication for the sensory function of the nerve cells.Thanks are due to Prof. Dr. P. G. W. J. van Oordt for his interest and the many helpful discussions, and to Mr. H. van Kooten and his co-workers for their skilful photographic assistance.     

Beitrag zur Populationsgenetik der Glutathionreduktase menschlicher Erythrocyten

Summary The frequency of heterozygotes for the glutathione-reductase in a sample of 215 young healthy Germans is 1,9%. Suggesting a 2-allele-model we can calculate the frequency of the three phenotypes in the population: GR(A)=98,1%, GR(AB)=1,9%, GR(B)=0,009%. No correlation between blood-and serum-groups and the enzyme activity could be found.

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Direktor: Prof. Dr. med. G. W. Löhr

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Direktor: Prof. Dr. med. G. G. Wendt

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Mit dankenswerter Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Volkswagen-Stiftung. Herrn Professor Dr. H. E. Bock, Tübingen, zum 65. Geburtstag gewidmet. Wesentliche Teile dieser Arbeit werden von Andreas v. Lingen der Medizinischen Fakultät Marburg als Dissertation vorgelegt.     

Histological and ultrastructural studies of the marsupial Didelphis albiventris Peyer's patches

Differing from the studied Eutheria the white belly opossum Peyer's patches do not present a conspicuous dome. M cells are located in the inner layer of bilaminal formed at the bottom of the villi. A great variation in the morphology of M cells was observed. The enterocytes located at the epithelial inner layer may present endocytic vesicles, and the microvilli are shorter than the microvilli of enterocytes lining the small intestine. As these morphological aspects have been described to exist in the enterocytes of the lactent opossum small intestine it was surmised that the opossum Peyer's patches special epithelium could represent the persistence in adult animals of a cellular pattern established before the intestinal maturation had occurred.