Ultrastructure and function of interdigitating cells in the guinea pig thymus.

Electron micrsocopic investigation of the thymus of normal guinea pigs of both sexes, approximately 3 months of age, have shown that the organ contains at least two types of non-lymphoid cells: epithelial reticulum cells and so-called interdigitating cells. The latter have been observed in the inner part of the cortex and are morphologically characterized by an irregularly shaped or kidney-shaped nucleus, many tubulovesicular cytoplasmic structures accumulated mostly within the cytocentre as well as by finger-like protrusions of the cytoplasm. These interdigitating cells are in close contant with neighbouring lymphocytes with partly destroyed pycnotic nucleus.     

Determination of autoantibodies to antigens of thymic epithelial cells of clean up team workers and patients who survived acute radiation sickness at distant periods after irradiation]

A group of patients, suffering from sequelae of acute radiation sickness (ARS), and liquidators was studied 5 years after exposure to a complex of factors resulting from the Chernobyl A.P.S. disaster. Studied were: the antibody titres to antigens of the cytoplasm of thymus epithelial reticulum cells and to Hassall's corpuscles the levels of serum immunoglobulins M, G, A; and the content of serum alpha 1-thymosin. Patients with ARS sequelae and liquidators showed a high level and incidence of autoantibodies to antigens of cytoplasm of thymus epithelial reticulum cells and to Hassall's corpuscles. There were no significant differences between the antibody levels in the blood of patients with ARS sequelae and liquidators. The antibodies were found to belong to IgM class; there was a correlation between the serum IgM titres and the rate of the indirect immunofluorescence reaction with autoantibodies to antigens of the cytoplasm of the thymus epithelial reticulum cells. To identify autoantibodies cryostat sections of human and mouse, (CBA x C57BL/6) F1, thymus as well as the epithelial and stromal cell culture of mouse thymus can equally be used.     

雌激素受体α和β亚型在文昌鱼神经系统、哈氏窝和性腺中的定位

用兔抗人ER-α和ER-β多克隆抗体对文昌鱼神经系统、轮器哈氏窝和性腺进行免疫细胞化学的定位研究。结果揭示幼年和成年两性不同发育时期文昌鱼在这些部位分布ER-α和ER-β蛋白。ER-α定位在端脑、中脑、后脑和神经管中大多数神经细胞核,少数在胞质及其突起和神经纤维,ER-β则定位在细胞质或细胞膜上,少数在核内。ER—α免疫阳性物质主要分布在哈氏窝下层的上皮细胞核,少数在上层细胞质,β受体则在上层细胞核。在性腺,ER-α分布在卵巢中卵原细胞和小生长期卵母细胞胞质与核仁,生发泡(核)显免疫阴性,在大生长期卵母细胞核膜和核仁的免疫阳性显著增强,成熟期则在卵细胞生发泡表达,ER-β免疫阳性物质分布在卵原细胞和早期卵母细胞质以及成熟卵细胞的卵被膜检测到,生发泡显免疫阴性。在精巢,这两种ER亚型均定位在精原细胞、初级与次级精母细胞和足细胞质,精子细胞在胞核,精子显免疫阴性。另外,双染结果还揭示ER-α和ER-β在上述部位多数共存于同一细胞,少数在不同细胞表达,且在细胞定位有不同。首次发现这两种雌激素受体亚型在文昌鱼有广泛分布,它们介导雌激素对文昌鱼神经内分泌组织的调节作用。α和β受体在靶细胞定位的不同,提示两者在介导雌激素信号路线和基因转录机制可能有不同生理作用。     

The ultrastructure of mammary explants from virgin ovariectomized goats during hormone-induced lactogenesis

The effect of insulin (I), cortisol (F) and prolactin (P) on the ultrastructural morphology of epithelial cells of cultured mammary explants from virgin ovariectomized (OV-X) goats were studied. The epithelial cells showed little structural organization and were devoid of fat droplets and secretory protein granules at zero time of culture. The cytoplasm contained few profiles of smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus was rudimentary. After being cultured in Waymouth's medium without added hormones the epithelial cells were indistinguishable from epithelial cells of uncultured explants. The addition of I induced changes mainly in the appearance of nucleoli. The nucleoli were enlarged and fibrillogranular areas with light spaces were observed. The most obvious cytological changes of epithelial cells of explants cultured in the presence of I and F are translocation of the nucleus into the basal cytoplasm, increase of rough endoplasmic reticulum, an increase in the size of the Golgi apparatus, presence of one or two lipid droplets and in some cells vacuoles with protein granules were present. Mitochondria were more abundant. The epithelial cells of explants cultured in the presence of I, F and P were characterized by the polarization of organelles within the cytoplasm and by the formation and release of protein granules and small and large fat droplets. The cell nucleus was in the basal cytoplasm, the Golgi apparatus was supranuclear. The rough endoplasmic reticulum was extensively developed and formed large sacs. Golgi vacuoles contained protein granules.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Differential cytoplasmic and whole cellular expression of histone H1 within the avian bursa of Fabricius

Bursal anti-steroidogenic peptide (BASP), purified from the chicken bursa of Fabricius (BF), has been previously demonstrated to be a potent and efficacious inhibitor of steroid hormone biosynthesis from chicken ovarian, and both mammalian and avian adrenal cells in vitro. Other studies have demonstrated that BASP can markedly reduce avian and mammalian mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation. Recent studies have indicated that BASP has a structural and functional relationship with histone H1. Immunohistochemical studies using a monoclonal antibody, which is known to recognize a common histone H1 epitope from several plant and animal species identified the protein within the cytoplasm and nucleus of distinct cells within both the cortex and medulla of all BF follicles. Additionally, epithelial cells within the BF expressed the protein strongly in the cytoplasm with reduced nuclear staining. In contrast, the same antibody did not recognize the protein in thymus of the same animals. The differential expression of histone H1 immunoreactivity within selected cells of the BF may support a previous proposed role of histone H1 in extranuclear and extracellular signaling in chickens and possibly other species.     

Distribution and ultrastructure of S-100-immunoreactive cells in the human thymus

Summary The present study deals with the localization and ultrastructure of S-100-immunoreactive cells in the human thymus. These immunoreactive cells are distributed mainly in the medulla with some scattered elements in the cortex. Electron-microscopic observation revealed that the cells are characterized by an irregularly shaped nucleus, tubulovesicular structures in the cytoplasm and characteristic interdigitations of the plasma membrane. The cells often embrace lymphocytes with their branched processes. On the basis of these morphological features, the immunostained elements were identified as interdigitating cells (IDCs). The immunocytochemistry for S-100 visualizes the precise distribution and extension of the IDCs under the light microscope and indicates that the IDCs form no structural networks such as those established by the thymic epithelial cells. Since the IDCs in human lymph nodes have also been reported to contain S-100-like immunoreactivity, S-100 protein can be regarded as a useful marker for identifying the IDCs in the human thymus and other lymphoid organs.     

鸭病毒性肠炎病毒强毒株的形态发生学与超微病理学研究

应用透射电镜和超薄切片技术,研究鸭病毒性肠炎病毒(duck enteritis virus,DEV)CH强毒株人工感染成年鸭后,病毒在宿主细胞内的形态发生及各组织器官的超微结构变化.结果表明,感染后不同时间剖杀及发病后死亡鸭的肝、肠、脾、胸腺、法氏囊等组织器官中,均观察到典型的疱疹病毒粒子.病毒主要的靶细胞为淋巴细胞、网状内皮细胞、成纤维细胞、巨噬细胞、血管内皮细胞、肠道上皮细胞、肠道平滑肌细胞和肝细胞等.DEV的核衣壳有空心型、致密核心型、双环型和内壁附有颗粒型四种形态,存在胞核和胞浆两种装配方式.病毒核衣壳可在核内获得皮层,通过核内膜获得囊膜成为成熟病毒;也可通过内外核膜进入胞浆,在其中获得皮层,然后在各种质膜上获得囊膜,最后成熟病毒释放到细胞外.伴随着病毒的复制、装配和成熟,细胞中出现多种核内和胞浆包涵体、核内致密病毒核酸颗粒、微管和中空短管以及胞浆内膜包裹的电子致密小体、双层管等病毒相关结构.超微研究表明,组织细胞有坏死和凋亡两种变化.坏死细胞肿胀甚至破裂,线粒体肿胀空泡化,粗面内质网扩张,核糖体脱落,有的细胞器甚至完全崩解,染色质或固缩或溶解.凋亡细胞则染色质聚集,胞浆凝聚深染,细胞膜上有大量空泡,并有凋亡小体形成.细胞坏死与凋亡往往同时存在,疾病发生过程中,脾、胸腺、法氏囊以及小肠固有层中的淋巴细胞凋亡数量明显增多.     

RADIOAUTOGRAPHIC STUDIES OF THE STEM CELL IN THE THYMUS OF THE IRRADIATED RAT

Radioautographic evidence is presented which characterizes the marrow derived stem cell which promotes thymic recovery following irradiation in the rat. These immigrant cells are similar in morphology to blood monocytes and have been called monocytoid, meaning monocyte-like in appearance. The typical cell had abundant pale staining cytoplasm and a nucleus with many invaginations and folds and a fine chromatin structure. There was no prominent nucleolus. The majority of these cells entered the thymus of the irradiated rat via the blood vessels into the septa and made their way through the connective tissue to the outer cortex. Three distinct morphological cell types appeared to be derived from the immigrant cells. These were fibrocyte-like cells which were located within the septa, macrophages located mainly within the medulla and septa, and large blast cells within the cortex, which proliferated giving rise to large thymocytes. The blast cells were characterized as having abundant moderately basophilic (and pyroninophilic) cytoplasm with a distinct cytoplasmic boundary, a large nucleus which still had invaginations and folds, a loose chromatin structure and one or more very prominent nucleoli. They were located in groups primarily within the outer cortex and often adjacent to blood vessels. They were found to be highly susceptible to damage in smear preparations. In contrast, their progeny, the large thymocytes were not highly susceptible to damage in smear preparations but teased out as large round cells with a highly basophilic rim of cytoplasm. The large thymocytes were precursors to medium and small cells. A radioautographic technique for 1 μ tissue sections is also described.     

Light and electron microscopic study of the normal and pathological thymus of the rat

Summary A combined light- and electron microscopic study of the normal thymus of young-adult, male Osborne-Mendel rats and, to a lesser extent, of young (8 days) and older (7–8 months) animals has been made. The data obtained provide a base line for submicroscopic investigations being in progress of the thymus in pathological conditions (acute involution followed by regeneration and virus-induced tumours). In addition, attention is given to the question whether the various thymic components show morphological signs which could represent secretory activity.Two main types of cells with epithelial characteristics (desmosomes, tonofilaments, basal membrane) are distinguished on the basis of their form, location and cytological features. The reticular type is most frequent in the cortex and contains round, clear structures partly filled with dense and/or membranous material. The cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum frequently are dilated. The other cell type which only is present in the medulla, shows a more polygonal form. The clear cytoplasm is marked by an abundance of vesicles, golgi complexes and clusters of vacuoles provided with microvilli.The submicroscopic findings in the lymphocytes confirm in general previous reports. The nucleus of the large lymphocytes contains one or two faintly defined nucleoli. The nuclear pores show an inner clear zone with a central knob. The relatively large cytoplasm is studded with polyribosomes; a small band beneath the plasma membrane is devoid of organelles. The chromatin material in the nucleus of the small lymphocytes is condensed at the periphery and in the center; nucleoli are rare. Well developed golgi apparatuses with centrioles are present; multivesicular bodies and lysosomes are not invariably found. The intranuclear formation of mitochondria was never encountered. Interruptions of the cell membrane and cytoplasmic fragmentation are observed. Different phases of the mitotic cycle of the thymocytes are illustrated. Evidence of epithelial cell lymphocyte transformation cannot be given by the study of normal tissue.Mesenchymal reticular cells with or without evident phagocytic activity are described and can be regarded as representing different types.The number of plasma cells increases with age. The endoplasmic cisternae of some of them contain a material which is condensed in a crystalline form and probably represents proteins.The tubular structures which usually are located at the periphery of the thymic lobuli also have been examined. The epithelial cells lining these structures show irregular microvilli and the intracytoplasmic granules as well as the vacuoles and the well developed endoplasmic reticulum are supposed to be signs of a secretory activity. Moderately dense material condensed in a crystalline form is present in the tubular lumina; the significance is not clear, however.Many small cortical bloodvessels are only partly enclosed by epithelial cells and the lymphocytes lie nearly in direct contact with the endothelial basement membrane. These findings are discussed in relation to the existence of a thymus-blood barrier as proposed in other reports.     

Nuclear localization of leukotriene A4 hydrolase in type II alveolar epithelial cells in normal and fibrotic lung

Leukotriene A4 (LTA4) hydrolase catalyzes the final step in leukotriene B4 (LTB4) synthesis. In addition to its role in LTB4 synthesis, the enzyme possesses aminopeptidase activity. In this study, we sought to define the subcellular distribution of LTA4 hydrolase in alveolar epithelial cells, which lack 5-lipoxygenase and do not synthesize LTA4. Immunohistochemical staining localized LTA4 hydrolase in the nucleus of type II but not type I alveolar epithelial cells of normal mouse, human, and rat lungs. Nuclear localization of LTA4 hydrolase was also demonstrated in proliferating type II-like A549 cells. The apparent redistribution of LTA4 hydrolase from the nucleus to the cytoplasm during type II-to-type I cell differentiation in vivo was recapitulated in vitro. Surprisingly, this change in localization of LTA4 hydrolase did not affect the capacity of isolated cells to convert LTA4 to LTB4. However, proliferation of A549 cells was inhibited by the aminopeptidase inhibitor bestatin. Nuclear accumulation of LTA4 hydrolase was also conspicuous in epithelial cells during alveolar repair following bleomycin-induced acute lung injury in mice, as well as in hyperplastic type II cells associated with fibrotic lung tissues from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. These results show for the first time that LTA4 hydrolase can be accumulated in the nucleus of type II alveolar epithelial cells and that redistribution of the enzyme to the cytoplasm occurs with differentiation to the type I phenotype. Furthermore, the aminopeptidase activity of LTA4 hydrolase within the nucleus may play a role in promoting epithelial cell growth.     

Ultrastructure of goose intestinal epithelial cells infected with Eimeria kotlani]

The ultrastructure of goose intestinal epithelial cells infected with various stages of E. kotlani has been described. No changes in the ultrastructure of the nucleus and cytoplasm were detected in cells, containing asexual stages. Damage of host cell structures, except Golgi complex, was not observed until gamogenesis. It is suggested that these changes are caused by the intensive "exploitation" of differentiated epithelial cells by large coccidian stages (macro- and microgametocytes). It is concluded that the epithelial cell of the goose, as of other animals, may function beyond crypts without the regulating influence of the nucleus.     

Localization of thymulin (FTS-Zn) in mouse thymus. Comparative data using monoclonal antibodies following different plastic embedding procedures

The distribution of thymulin (FTS-Zn) was studied in thymuses from normal mice (OF1) or autoimmune mice (NZB). Thymulin localization was investigated using immunocytochemical techniques on sections of GMA and epon-embedded mouse thymuses. Two monoclonal antibodies were used: anti-synthetic thymulin and anti-intracellular thymulin. In the immunofluorescence assay, GMA sections allowed a more subtle localization of thymulin in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells (with a vacuolar pattern) compared to the epon sections (with a homogeneous fluorescence in the cytoplasm). In both cases, the number of labeled cells was greater in the medullary region than in the cortex of the thymus. At the electron microscopic level, immunolabeling of epon ultrathin sections showed ferritin distributed in some of the epithelial cell vacuoles. The two monoclonal antibodies revealed similar distributions of thymulin in the thymus. The results obtained in this study confirm that the amount of thymulin is greater in the epithelial cells of normal compared to autoimmune thymuses.     

Localization of thymulin (FTS-Zn) in mouse thymus. Comparative data using monoclonal antibodies following different plastic embedding procedures

The distribution of thymulin (FTS-Zn) was studied in thymuses from normal mice (OF1) or autoimmune mice (NZB). Thymulin localization was investigated using immunocytochemical techniques on sections of GMA and epon-embedded mouse thymuses. Two monoclonal antibodies were used: anti-synthetic thymulin and anti-intracellular thymulin. In the immunofluorescence assay, GMA sections allowed a more subtle localization of thymulin in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells (with a vacuolar pattern) compared to the epon sections (with a homogeneous fluorescence in the cytoplasm). In both cases, the number of labeled cells was greater in the medullary region than in the cortex of the thymus. At the electron microscopic level, immunolabeling of epon ultrathin sections showed ferritin distributed in some of the epithelial cell vacuoles. The two monoclonal antibodies revealed similar distributions of thymulin in the thymus. The results obtained in this study confirm that the amount of thymulin is greater in the epithelial cells of normal compared to autoimmune thymuses.     

Expression and Distribution of the Adrenomedullin System in Newborn Human Thymus

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a multifunctional peptide endowed with various biological actions mediated by the interaction with the calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR), which couples to the receptor activity-modifying proteins 2 or 3 (RAMP2 or RAMP3) to form the functional plasma membrane receptors AM1 and AM2, respectively. In this study, we investigated for the first time the expression and localization of AM, CLR, RAMP2 and RAMP3 in human thymic tissue from newborns and in primary cultures of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and thymocytes. Immunohistochemical analysis of thymic tissue showed that both AM and RAMP2 are abundantly expressed in the epithelial cells of medulla and cortex, blood vessels and mastocytes. In contrast, RAMP3 could not be detected. In cultured TECs, double immunofluorescence coupled to confocal microscopy revealed that AM is present in the cytoplasmic compartment, whereas RAMP2 could be detected in the cytoplasm and nucleus, but not in the cell membrane. At variance with RAMP2, CLR was not only present in the nucleus and cytoplasm of TECs, but could also be detected in the cell membrane. The nuclear and cytoplasmic localizations of RAMP2 and CLR and the absence of RAMP2 in the cell membrane were confirmed by western-blot analysis performed on cell fractions. AM, RAMP2 and CLR could also be detected in thymocytes by means of double immunofluorescence coupled to confocal microscopy, although these proteins were not present in the whole thymocyte population. In these cells, AM and RAMP2 were detected in the cytoplasm, whereas CLR could be observed in the cytoplasm and the plasma membrane. In conclusion, our results show that the AM system is widely expressed in human thymus from newborns and suggest that both AM1 receptor components CLR and RAMP2 are not associated with the plasma membrane of TECs and thymocytes but are located intracellularly, notably in the nucleus.     

Matricellular protein SPARC is translocated to the nuclei of immortalized murine lens epithelial cells

The matricellular glycoprotein, secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), has complex biological activities and is important for lens epithelial cell function and regulation of cataract formation. To understand how SPARC influences lens epithelial cell activity and homeostasis, we have studied the subcellular distribution of SPARC in murine lens epithelial cells in vitro. We demonstrate that endogenous SPARC is located in the cytoplasm of either quiescent or dividing lens epithelial cells in culture. However, cytoplasmic SPARC was translocated into the nuclei of immortalized lens epithelial cells upon a significant reduction of intracellular SPARC in these cells. Recombinant human (rh) SPARC added to the culture media was quickly and efficiently internalized into the cytosol of SPARC-null lens epithelial cells. Moreover, cytoplasmic rhSPARC was also translocated into the nucleus after exogenous rhSPARC was removed from the culture media. The translocation of SPARC into the nucleus was therefore triggered by the reduction of SPARC protein normally available to the cells. A mouse SPARC-EGFP chimeric fusion protein (70 kDa) was expressed in lens epithelial cells and 293-EBNA cells, and was observed both in the cytoplasm and culture medium, but not in the nucleus. SPARC does not appear to have a strong nuclear localization sequence. Alternatively, SPARC might pass through the nuclear pore complex by passive diffusion. SPARC therefore functions not only as an extracellular protein but also potentially as an intracellular protein to influence cellular activities and homeostasis.     

Thymic structural changes in relation to seasonal cycle and testosterone administration in wall lizard Hemidactylus flaviviridis (Ruppell)

Light microscopic and ultrastructural studies of thymus in wall lizard showed remarkable season dependent structural changes. In winter, the thymus was involuted and its cortico-medullary differentiation was not distinct. Thymocytes were sparsely distributed. The epithelial cells exhibited atrophic features such as an appreciable decrease in the nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio and accordingly reduction in cell organelles. The reconstruction of thymus commenced during spring and it became fully developed with marked delineation of cortico-medullary regions during summer. The thymus was then densely populated with thymocytes and epithelial cells showed voluminous cytoplasm having numerous cell organelles. The thymus regression started again by the beginning of autumn. The results suggest that the thymic development in wall lizard have inverse relationship with the androgen level, as the testicular steroidogenic activity was seen maximum during winter and least in summer. This assumption gets support by castration and testosterone replacement experiments. Castration of lizards during winter resulted in profound development of thymus with an appreciable increase in thymocytes mainly in the cortex region . The cortex became delineated from the medulla. Following testosterone treatment, the thymus underwent regression and was comparable to testis-intact lizard's thymus during winter season. After withdrawal of testosterone treatment, the thymus exhibited dense lymphoid and thymocyte population with a demarcation of cortico-medullary regions and sub-cortical region was regenerated.     

The ultrastructure of imaginal disc cells in primary cultures and during cell aggregation in continuous cell lines

We have examined the ultrastructure of cellular vesicles in primary cultures of wing imaginal disc cells of Drosophila melanogaster. These cells maintain the apico-basal polarity characteristic of epithelial cells. The apical surfaces secrete extracellular material into the lumen of the vesicle from plasma membrane plaques at the tip of microvilli. During the course of one passage, cells from the established cell lines grow to confluence and then aggregate into discrete condensations joined by aligned bridges of cells. Cells in these aggregates are tightly packed, and there appears to be a loss of the epithelial polarity characteristic of the vesicle cells. Elongated cell extensions containing numerous microtubules are found in aggregates, and we suggest that these may be epithelial feet involved in the aggregation process. Virus particles are commonly found both within the nucleus and the cytoplasm of cells in the aggregates.     

Behavior of the cell center during epithelial cell spreading

In the epithelial cells of mouse embryo renal channels, centrioles are located near the plasma membrane of the apical part of the cell. In most of the cells an active centriole carries a cilium, which comes out into the channel lumen. In the epithelial cells, suspended after trypsinisation and in single cells adhering to the substrate, the centrioles are located near the nucleus, and the outcoming cilia are not observed. In the spread cells of epithelial islets, the centrioles are also found near the nucleus, and in most cases an active centriole carries a cilium, which comes out of the cytoplasm at the upper side of the cell. In the peripheral cells of the islet, centrioles are positioned between the nucleus and the active edge of the cell. In the epithelial cells in situ, a relatively small number of microtubules radiate from the active centrioles. In the suspended cells, the activation of microtubule formation is observed in the cell center. In the spread cells of the epithelial islets there occurs a further increase in the number of microtubules radiating from the active centrioles. In the peripheral cells which cause translocation of the epithelial islet in the culture, the number of microtubules, radiating from the centrioles does not differ significantly from that of the inner cells of the islet. The cell center of the epithelial cells does not seem to be actively involved in the locomotion of the epithelial cells in the culture.     

Localization of basal cell antigen in the epithelial tissues of animals and humans detected by means of natural antibodies

By means of the immunofluorescent method using rabbit serum that contains natural antibodies against the basal cell antigen of epidermis, the distribution of the antigen has been demonstrated in cells of the basal layer of all types of the stratified epithelium. The reaction is also noted in cytoplasm of the epithelial cells in the thymus and the tracheal mucous membrane. This demonstrates their histogenic affinity to stratified epithelii. The antigen studied is not species-specific, since it is revealed in the stratified epithelium of all species examined (human being, mouse, rat, guinea pig, rabbit). It is possible to use the basal cell antigen as a marker for immunomorphological reveal of epithelial cells in the thymus in the process of its physiological and pathological involution.     

Post-hatching development of the thymic epithelial cells in the rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri: an ultrastructural study

This study reports the ultrastructure of subpopulations of epithelial cells of the thymic parenchyma during the post-hatching development of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdner, kept at 14 degrees C. At hatching, the thymus contained a small number of medium and large thymocytes interspersed among three different types of epithelial cells: (1) epithelial cells adjacent to the connective tissue capsule; (2) ramified dark epithelial cells with electron-dense cytoplasm; and (3) pale electron-lucent epithelial cells displaying secretory-like features. All these cells types were anchored to one another by desmosomes and had apparently differentiated from the pharyngeal epithelium. At 4 days after hatching, the thymus enlarged, and numerous gaps occurred between the cell processes of contiguous epithelial cells adjacent to the capsular connective tissue. In 21-day-old trout, thymic trabeculae developed carrying blood vessels, and a subcapsular zone became evident containing lymphoblasts and large subcapsular epithelial cells. In 30-day-old trout, an outer thymic zone developed consisting of spindle-shaped epithelial cells which formed a dense network. At this stage, scattered cystic cells, which apparently differentiated from the pale epithelial cells, were present.