Microscopic anatomy of small-intestinal lymphoid patches in children and adults

Longitudinal histological sections of lymphoid patches (LP) in the small intestine, stained after van Gieson and with hematoxylin--eosin, obtained from 105 corpses of persons at the age of 0 up to 90 years have been studied. The LP parenchyma is presented as accumulation of lymphoid nodules++ with a germinative center, or without it and diffuse lymphoid tissue. The lymphoid nodules++ situate both in the mucous membrane and in the submucous tela of the small intestine. The area of the LP components in the newborns is the greatest--84% from the whole area of the LP section. During the human life it decreases and by the old age it makes 47%. The lymphoid nodules++ area with the germinative center in the newborns makes 21% from the area of the LP section, in children from 1 to 3 years of age it increases up to 50%, then it gradually decreases and in the elderly age it makes only 3.8%. The diffuse lymphoid tissue in the LP composition is revealed in all age periods. Size of the lymphoid nodules++ patches, situating in the jejunum and ileum walls in the newborns is the same. In children at the age of 10 days--12 years the LP nodules++ in the ileum are larger than those in the sejunum. The size of the LP noduli increase up to the period of the second childhood then decreases. The height of the lymphoid noduli in persons of mature, elderly and old ages decreases twice in comparison with the children of 3-12 years of age.     

Morphology of mesenteric lymph nodes after balneologic procedures

Strong and weak sulfate baths produce certain increase in amount and in area of the lymphoid noduli with the germinative center, in the deep cortex and a decrease in the relative area of the medullary substance, while iodobromine baths facilitate to an outgrowth of the medullary cords and to ectasia of sinus lumens. After the balneoprocedures lymphoid noduli appear in the deep cortex; amount of destructive cells in the medullary sinuses, in the medullary cords and in the intermedullary zone decreases; amount of mast cells, eosinophiles and neutrophiles increases (slightly). Blast transformation of small lymphocytes and increase in number of middle lymphocytes are observed in the germinative centers.     

The immune system and age

Basing on numerous facts, obtained during last years at investigation of the immune system organs, a definite idea has been formed on peculiarities of their structure during certain stages of human ontogenesis. The immune organs appear early in embryogenesis and by birth they have reached their morphological maturation. This is evident as formation of diffuse lymphoid tissue in lymphoid noduli, that can have germinative centers, where young cells of the lymphoid line are formed. The immune system organs develop especially quickly after birth during first years of the postnatal ontogenesis. The peak in development of the organs of immunogenesis, amount and size of the lymphoid noduli occurs during the childhood and adolescent age. Each immune organ has its peculiarities that are determined by their place in the organism, value and intensity of antigenic effect. Beginning from the adolescence and youth amount of the lymphoid tissue and lymphoid noduli in the organs decreases, in their place connective and adipose tissue grows out.     

The anatomy and topography of the lymphoid formations of the human stomach in postnatal ontogeny]

By means of macro-microscopical methods 80 stomachs from persons of various age have been studied. In the mucous membrane of the human stomach during all age periods of postnatal development the lymphoid tissue is present as diffusely scattered lymphocytes, their microaccumulations and lymphoid noduli. Maximal amount of the lymphoid noduli is observed during the second mature age. The greatest number of the lymphoid noduli per 1 cm2 of the mucous membrane surface is revealed in the area of the lesser curvature and in the pyloric part of the stomach. Most often the lymphoid noduli are situated in the depth of the lumen proper of the mucous membrane, somewhat more seldom--in its more superficial parts, in the muscular lamina and in the submucous tela. The lymphoid noduli with germinative centers are met beginning from the first childhood up to old age. The greatest amount of diffusively scattered lymphocytes is situated near the lymphoid noduli and in the deep layer of the lamina proper of the mucous membrane.     

The reaction of somatic lymph nodes to experimental exposure to sulfide baths]

Influence of strong sulfide baths of the sanatorium "Talgi" to the popliteal and superficial inguinal lymph nodes (LN) has been studied in 35 rats (140-150 g of body mass) and 15 animals have been used as the control. The slices are stained with hematoxyli-eosin, after van Gieson, Romanovsky-Giemsa, Kurnik and silver nitrate impregnation after Foot. The section area of the LN decreases, but amount of lymphoid nodules increases (especially in deep layers of the cortex). In the germinative centers amount of middle lymphocytes and mitoses becomes larger. In the internodular zones of the popliteal nodes amount of macrophages and eosinophiles enlarges significantly, and in the inguinal-amount of mast cells and eosinophiles. In the medullary sinuses amount of macrophages declines. In the medullary cords amount of immature plasma cells and blasts increases, while amount of mature cells decreases.     

The microscopic anatomy of the human pharyngeal tonsil in the postnatal period of ontogeny

Histological sections of the pharyngeal tonsil (PhT) have been investigated in 55 corpses of persons of both sex and various age, that had no disease connected with lesions of the PhT by the time of their death. The aim of the work is to determine relative areas of each structural element of the PhT in comparison to the whole section area taken as 100%. The PhT lymphoid tissue reached its maximal relative development at the first childhood. Then the lymphoid tissue area in the PhT histological sections decreases gradually, making already in the second mature age one half of the tonsil section area, and in the elderly age--nearly one-fourth. The decrease of the relative lymphoid tissue area takes place at the expense of decreasing area of the lymphoid nodules. The relative area of the connective stroma increases inversely to the relative decrease of the lymphoid tissue area parameters. The germinative centers in the lymphoid nodules are absent in newborns and old persons. The greatest value of the relative area of the germinative centers falls to the early infancy. The lymphoid nodules with the germinative centers, according to their relative area during all age periods, besides the newborn period, the second mature, elderly and old age periods, essentially exceed the area, that occupy the nodules without the germinative centers on the PhT sections.     

Characteristics of the cellular reactions of the T- and B-dependent areas of the regional lymph nodes in dogs to the administration of immunodepressants

Mesenteric, bifurcational, axillary and popliteal lymph nodes have been studied in 22 healthy mature male dogs. Amount of blast cells, small lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages has been taken into account in the paracortical zone, in the germinative centers and in the medullary cords. For two weeks to one group of the animals every day imuran in turn with aurantin (10 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg) are injected, or antilymphocytic serum (ALS) intraperitoneally every other day (0.1 ml/kg). The combined injection of imuran and aurantin produces a more pronounced toxic effect to the hemopoietic organs than ALS. ALS is more specific for T-dependent zones of the lymph nodes. In the dose and interval mentioned ALS is an immunostimulating preparation for the immunocompetent cells of the germinative centers of the lymph nodes. The reaction of the lymph nodes depends on their regional belonging.     

Structural and functional characteristics of the lower tracheobronchial lymph nodes in the rat after administration of dimethyl sulfate

By means of microanatomical methods the inferior tracheobronchial lymph nodes in 36 Wistar rats have been investigated, when the animals have been subjected to the effect of dimethylsulfate (DMS) vapors. The effect of the substance in doses 0.1 and 2.0 mg/m3 for 2 and 14 days has been studied. Comparison of relative parameters of the structural components areas and the cytological profile of the lymph nodes has been performed. DMS effects for 2 and 14 days in the maximal tolerance concentration (MTC) results in increasing area of the connective tissue stroma and the cortical substance, in comparison with the control, as well as in decreasing area of the medulla substance. At the contact with DMS for 2 days (at a corresponding MTC) certain changes of the nodular cytological profile are noted. They demonstrate that to the given time of the experiment the adaptive processes in the lymph nodes have no time to develop completely. DMS effect for 14 days in the same concentration produces an increased destruction of cellular elements and inhibits the plasmocellular reaction intensity (in comparison to the control and the experiment for 2 days). DMS maximal concentration (2.0 mg/m3) results in decreasing area of the lymphoid noduli with germinative centers. Intensity of mitotic processes decreases and autoimmune processes develop.     

Cytological structure of splenic white pulp in persons of different age

Spleens (27) obtained from human corpses (from 1 year up to 85 years) have been investigated. By means of morphometrical grid amount of cells in the periarterial lymphoid muffs (PLM) and in marginal zones (MZ) of the spleen have been counted. In both structures of the white pulp small lymphocytes make the greatest number. Middle lymphocytes in comparison to the small ones are 1.5-4 times less in most of the age groups investigated. Amount of plasma cells is small. The part of reticular cells is 21-46% in MZ and 20-36% in PLM from the total amount of cells. In PLM immediately around the artery tightly packed to each other small lymphocytes are situated. Among small lymphocytes reticular cells are situated. A similar arrangement of cells is kept along the whole thickness of PLM. In MZ distance between cells of the lymphoid line is a little greater than in PLM. To singularly situating reticular cells small and middle lymphocytes are immediate neighbours. Plasma cells, as a rule, occur seldom; either middle lymphocytes, or reticular cells adjoin them. Sometimes, in PLM and MZ macrophages occur; they are situated in the areas free from other cells.     

Structure of the mesenteric lymph nodes in fetuses and offspring of white rats under the effect of indomethacin on the mother-fetus system

Mesenteric lymph nodes in fetuses and offspring of white rats have been studied during various age periods after indomethacin injection in doses 2.5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg daily from the 18th up to 21st day of pregnancy. Dose-dependent retardation in formation of main structures of the mesenteric lymph nodes, decreasing amount of the lymphoid type cells have been revealed. Retardation in the capsule, sinuses and reticular fibers of the node takes place, as well as decrease in lympho- and plasmocytopoiesis. It is more pronounced after indomethacin in dose 2.5 mg/kg. Simultaneously, formation of the cerebral substance and appearance of lymphoid nodules and their germinative centers are delayed. After the drug effect (2.5 mg/kg), up to the age of 2 weeks the amount of tissue basophils and eosinophilic granulocytes decreases. When the dose of the drug is 1 mg/kg decreasing amount of these cells is substituted for their compensatory increase on the 2d-3d week. The data obtained demonstrate a decreasing function of the lymph nodes, that depends on the dose of indomethacin.     

The temporal organization of the complex nodule in the lymph node

The aim of the work is to study rhythmic processes at tissue level in the lymph nodule and in the T-territory adjacent to it in order to reveal temporal interrelations in functioning the germinative center, crown and T-territory. The lymph nodule sections are stained with methylene green-pyronine. Small and middle lymphocytes, immunoblasts, plasmoblasts, immature and mature plasma cells, mitotic figures are taken into account. Spectral composition and rhythmic parameters are determined for each type of the cells in the ultradian, circadian and infradian ranges. Periods, approaching the circadian one, are revealed in the germinative centers for small lymphocytes and immature plasma cells. Practically, for all plasma cells the functional period near to 7 h is found; this attests the presence of the common synchronous rhythm driver. Phase difference of immunoblast, plasmablast, immature plasma cell fluctuation in the germinative centers makes it possible to suppose the time, necessary to transfer the immunoblast into the plasmablast (1.6-2.6 h) and the plasmablast into the immature plasma cell (3 h). Owing to the knowledge of the spectral composition of the rhythmic and parameters of certain components it is possible to approximate the total course of the process. Combination of fluctuations with various periods results in their recurrence in more prolonged time intervals.     

Mesenteric lymph nodes in the rat after exposure to hydrocortisone

The construction and cell composition of the cortex and medulla have been morphometrically studied after 1-, 3-, 5-, 7- and 14-aliquot injection of medical doses of hydrocortisone (0.25 mg per 100 g of body mass). The body mass of the animals decreases, as does the size of the mesenteric lymph nodes. The lymphocyto- and immunocytopoietic functions intensify in the medullary cords with a simultaneous inhibition of these processes in the cortical plateau and in the lymphoid noduli. On the 5th and 7th days there is some increase in the section area of the cortex, while that of the medulla decreases. The part of small lymphocytes in these structures grows large. Therefore, it is possible to suppose a definite tendency towards restoration of the structural components within two weeks.     

Perivascular lymphoid nodules]

As a result of investigation of lymphoid formations in the walls of the human tracheobronchial tree and the pulmonary stroma by means of morphological and morphometrical techniques, certain regularity in arrangement of the perivascular lymphoid noduli has been stated along the course of the lympho- and hemomicrocirculatory bed links. The periarterial lymphoid noduli of the tracheobronchial tree have certain morphological similarity and some differences, when comparing them with usual lymphoid noduli.     

Age and the extent and topography of solitary lymphoid nodules in the wall of the human small and large intestine

Amount and topography of small lymphoid nodules (SLN) have been studied by means of the quantitative method in flat total preparations of the small and large intestine obtained from 111 corpses of persons of both sex (from newborn up to old age). Total amount of the SLN in the large intestine wall in all age periods exceeds that of the SLN in the small intestine wall. From birth up to the period of the 1 childhood total amount of the SLN increases successively, reaching (51 +/- 14) X 10(2) in the small and (74 +/- 11) X 10(2) in the large intestine at the age of 4-7 years. Beginning from 8 years of age up to old age, total amount of the SLN decreases successively, to a more degree in the wall of the small intestine than in the large intestine. The arrangement density of the SLN in the large intestine wall essentially exceeds that of the SLN in the small intestine wall during the all age periods. From birth up to early childhood the arrangement density of the SLN increases and then gradually decreases both in the small and large intestine. This demonstrates that development of the SLN takes place during the first 4-7 years of the human life, in contrast to the lymph nodes and tonsils, their greatest development takes place during juvenile and adolescent age.     

Morphological characteristics of the thymus gland of albino rats after prenatal administration of indomethacin

By means of histological, histochemical and electron microscopical methods the thymus of white rat fetuses and offspring has been investigated during various age periods after indomethacin++ influence (2.5 mg/kg). In the fetuses retardation in separation of the gland parenchyma into lobules has been revealed. During the first two weeks of life the section area of the medulla decreases. Amount of lymphoid cells decreases; small and degenerating lymphocytes decrease in their number, while the part of lymphoblasts, middle lymphocytes and figures of mitosis increases. Enzymatic activity in the nervous structures of the organ is inhibited. Some essential disturbances of the intracellular structures are revealed; they demonstrate certain destructive changes. The data obtained show a decreasing function of the thymus after the prenatal influence of indomethacin++ during the first month of life, which is especially manifested during the first two weeks.     

Postnatal development of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues in chickens

Summary The postnatal development of chicken mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues of the eyes, lungs, and intestines were investigated with monoclonal antibodies specific for either all leucocytes, B lymphocytes, mononuclear phagocytes, IgM, IgG, or IgA. Attention has been paid to the relation of lymphoid infiltrates with their surrounding mucosae, the segregation into B-cell and T-cell areas, development of germinal centers, and secretory immunoglobulins. Abudant secretory IgM and IgA was detected in the epithelium of the Harderian glands in the orbits, even though they lacked large leucocyte infiltrates with germinal centers. Lymphoid tissues in the mucosae of lungs and intestines developed separate B-cell and T-cell areas. The proventriculus, Meckel's diverticulum, and Peyer's patches generally contained germinal centers from 12 weeks of age on. Because chickens as young as 2 weeks old had germinal centers in bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue and cecal tonsils, these areas were probably highly stimulated by antigens. Isotype-specific monoclonal antibodies were used to detect IgM-, IgG-, and IgA-bearing follicular cells in the same germinal center.     

The localization of sensory nerve fibers and receptor binding sites for sensory neuropeptides in canine mesenteric lymph nodes

Previous work has established that the central nervous system can modulate the immune response. Direct routes through which this regulation may occur are the sympathetic and sensory innervation of lymphoid organs. We investigated the innervation of canine mesenteric lymph nodes using immunohistochemistry and the expression of binding sites for sensory neuropeptides using quantitative receptor autoradiography. The sympathetic innervation of lymph nodes was examined by immunohistochemical methods using an antiserum directed against tyrosine hydroxylase (TOH), the rate limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis. TOH-containing fibers were associated with 90% of the blood vessels (arteries, veins, arterioles and venules) in the hilus, medullary and internodular regions of lymph nodes and in trabeculae with no obvious relationship to blood vessels. The sensory innervation of lymph nodes was investigated using antisera directed against the putative sensory neurotransmitters calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP). CGRP- and SP-containing fibers were detected in the hilus, the medullary region, and the internodular region of lymph nodes usually in association with arterioles and venules. About 50% of the arterioles and venules exhibited a CGRP innervation and a smaller fraction (5-10%) were innervated by SP-containing fibers. Few if any TOH, CGRP, and SP nerve fibers were detected in the germinal centers of lymph nodes. Using quantitative receptor autoradiography we studied the distribution of receptor binding sites for the sensory neuropeptides CGRP, SP, substance K (SK), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), somatostatin (SOM), and bombesin. Specific CGRP binding sites were expressed throughout lymph nodes by trabeculae, arterioles, venules and 25% of the germinal centers. SP receptor binding sites were localized to arterioles and venules in the T cell regions and 25-30% of the germinal centers. VIP binding sites were localized to the internodular and T cell regions, to medullary cords, and to 10-20% of germinal centers. SK, SOM, and bombesin binding sites were not detected in the lymph nodes, although receptor binding sites for these peptides were detected with high specific/nonspecific binding ratios in other canine peripheral tissues. Taken together with previous results these findings suggest that the sympathetic and sensory innervation of mesenteric lymph nodes appears to be involved with the regulation of their blood and lymph flow. The neuropeptide receptor binding sites in lymph node germinal centers may be expressed by lymphocytes upon activation by antigens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Embryonal development of grouped lymphoid nodules (Peyer's patches) in the human ileum]

Embryogenesis of Payer's patches (PP) of the ileum, has been studied in 183 human fetuses 8-40-week-old. Their anlages appear on the 8th-9th week as an accumulation of atypical villi. At first the PP are localized in the cranial part of the ileum, and then spread caudally. Their most active increase in amount takes place from the 15th up to 17th weeks of development. From the 8th up to the 40th weeks the PP amount increase from 10 up to 37. During the same time their length develops from 0.7 up to 8.3 mm, their width--from 0.3 up to 2.2. The first lymphoid nodules++ in the PP are detected on the 14th week, then their number rises from 200 up to 3,500. The superficial area of all the PP, turning into the lumen of the ileum widens from 1.4 up to 620 mm2. Their predominate form is ellipsoid. During the whole prenatal period in the lymphoid nodules++ no germinative centers are revealed. Lymphocytes in the PP are identified in 8-9-week-old fetuses. By the 29th week the whole amount of lymphocytes in them increase up to 9.6 x 10(6) cells. Lymphocytic suspension of the PP of 8-9-week-old fetuses contains 1.7% of T-lymphocytes (E = POK) and 0.1% of B-lymphocytes (EAC = POK). By the 29th week their amount increases up to 9% and 7%, respectively, but by birth it does not reach their amount in the PP of mature organisms.     

Lymphoid nodules of the urinary bladder in man

Basing on macro- microscopical investigation of the urinary bladder in 94 persons, died at the period of birth up to old years and by the time of death having not any disease of the urinary apparatus, structure and topography of the lymphoid nodules, their amount, density of distribution in the mucous membrane of various parts of the organ have been studied. The germinative centers in the lymphoid nodules of the urinary bladder are not revealed. The external appearance of the nodules is not the same; some have clear contours others have no clearly manifested borders. We call them prenodules. The lymphoid nodules are situated near to each other without any definite order. And only near the ureteral openings they are always revealed in a small amount, in the area of the triangle; they are oriented, as a rule, from the ureteral openings towards the exit from the urinary bladder. The amount of the lymphoid nodules in the organ's wall varies (at an average) from 18, in newborns, up to 415, in adolescents, and up to 129, in old persons. Distribution density of the lymphoid nodules in the fundal area of the urinary bladder is somewhat greater, than in its superior parts. The size of the lymphoid nodules during all age periods is not more than 900 mcm.     

Morphocytochemical reaction of the lymph nodes in dogs to the administration of lysozyme

By means of morphological, morphometrical and histochemical methods pelvic and tracheobronchial lymph nodes have been studied in dogs and concentration of lysozyme has been estimated in blood serum, in lymph and the lymph nodes after a single intramuscular injection of lysozyme (2 mg/kg of body mass). In the material investigated total concentration of lysozyme reaches its maximal values in 6 h after injection, then it gradually decreases and in 48 h reaches its control level. Morphometrically changes in cell composition are revealed predominantly of immune-competent cells in T- and B-dependent zones of the lymph nodes. Thus, the volumetric part of lymphoblasts in the germinative centers of the lymphoid nodules reaches its maximal indices by 48 h after lysozyme injection, while plasmatization of the paracortical zone and of medullary cords increases up to the 7th day. By the 14th day the volumetric part of lymphoblasts, immunoblasts and plasmocytes decreases gradually, and in 21 days after injection of the drug contents of the blast forms of the cells in the structural-functional zones of the lymph nodes does not differ from that in the control. The data obtained demonstrate the immunomorphological rearrangement of the lymph nodes in response to the exogenic lysozyme administration.