ISSN:
1365-3083
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Fetal (n=20)and postnatal (n = 40) parotid glands were examined by two-colour immunohisto-chemistry combining monoclonal and polyclonal antibody reagents lo study the expression of HLA class I and Il (DR. DP. and DQ). CD45 and CD3, The epithelium lacked class II during fetal life, whereas class I determinants appeared in some acini and most major ducts. Fetal vessels were positive for both class I and class II (mainly DR), suggesting constructive expression. Some class II-positive (DR 〉 DP DQ) histiocytic cells, scaltered CD45+ leucocytes, and very few CD3+ T cells were present in the fetal stroma. The epithelium remained DR-negative the first few weeks after birth, but brisk expression was seen subsequently, DP and DQ remained virtually negative in the epithelium throughout the first year. A slight postnatal increase of class II expression (DR 〉 DP 〉 DQ). along with an apparent decrease in class I. was observed in the endothelium. The number of class Il-positive histiocytic cells. CD45+ leucocytes and CD3+ T cells, as well as the proportion of presumably activated (DR+) T cells, increased a few weeks after birth. The local immune system hence seemed to be stimulated by extrinsic factors, but the overall number of T cells nevertheless remained small. Stimuli other than T cell-derived lymphokines, therefore, probably explained the brisk postnatal epithelial DR induction.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3083.1991.tb01577.x
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