Expression patterns of neuroendocrine cells in the duck thymus
- VernacularTitle:神经内分泌细胞在鸭胸腺中的表达特征
- Author:
Jing FANG
;
Hengmin CUI
;
Min HE
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
neuroendocrine cells;
duck thymus;
thymic corpuscles;
immunohistochemistry;
image analysis
- From:
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science
2008;28(4):446-450
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The expression patterns of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),gastrin(Gas),β-endorphin(End),somatostatin(SS),vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP),glucagon(Glu) and neuropeptide Y(NPY)-positive cells in the duck thymus were studied by the immunohistochemical method associated with image analysis.The result shows that these 7 kinds of neuroendocrine cells with strong intensity were differentially detected in the duck thymus.The End-positive cells were abundantly expressed in the thymic cortex,whereas the Gas,5-HT,SS,VIP,Glu and NPY ones were more frequent in the medullary and around the corticomedullary junction.Except Glu,the other 6 kinds of neuroendocrine substances with various intensity were expressed in the cells of thymic corpuscles.The observation demonstrated that the duck thymus is not only a primary lymphatic organ,but also has important neuroendocrine functions.The End-positive cells in the thymus may play crucial roles in the development of immature T-lymphocytes.The neuroendocrine cells with a predominant distribution in the medulla and around the corticomedullary junction might facilitate exerting their influence via an endocrine,autocrine or paracrine pathways on the function of mature T-cells.The possible roles of thymic corpuscles are also discussed.
