Immunohistochemical study of the reticular and vascular network of mouse lymph node using vibratome sections |
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Authors: | Ma Bin Jablonska Jadwiga Lindenmaier Werner Dittmar Kurt E J |
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Institution: | Gene Regulation and Differentiation, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstrasse 7, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany. bma@gbf.de |
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Abstract: | The function of lymph nodes is greatly influenced by their unique microanatomy, in which distinct subpopulations of cells are compartmentalized by a meshwork of reticular cells and fibres, specialized blood and lymphatic vessels and nerves. Using antibodies against extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (fibronectin, collagen IV and laminin), proteoglycan (perlecan), and a fibroblastic marker (ERTR-7), the distribution and molecular organization of the system of reticular fibres was investigated by three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction methods. Fibronectin, collagen IV and laminin are restricted to reticular fibres and have a similar distribution pattern, whereas perlecan is limited to the vascular system of the lymph node. Various compartments of the lymph node, such as the B-cell follicle, paracortex (including the high endothelial venules and paracortical cord), and medulla have been reconstructed to visualize their vasculature with respect to B and T cells. Since the morphology of lymph nodes may change significantly in pathological conditions, different compartments of reactive lymph node (after low-dose Listeria monocytogenes infection), especially germinal centres, were also investigated. The data presented here should facilitate our understanding of the 3D organization of non-immune cell components of lymph nodes, which is crucial for cell adhesion, migration, activation, and differentiation in normal and pathological conditions. |
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Keywords: | Extracellular matrix Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction Reticular fibres Lymph node Vibratome section Mice Immunohistochemistry |
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