Skip to main content
Log in

The immune response in lymphoid organs of rat: A cytochemical study

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Comparative Haematology International Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Variations in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were studied, using the light microscope (LM), and cytochemical reactions in lymphoid organs (lymph node, spleen, thymus) of rats, up to day 5 following Escherichia coli immunisation. Increased levels of LDH and DHFR in the T-area of lymph nodes and of spleen were seen from day 2 to day 4 postimmunisation. The SDH reaction in lymph nodes and in the spleen increased during days 2 and 3 but decreased on day 4 postimmunisation. Considerable increases in the activities of LDH and SDH were seen in thymus at all times postimmunisation. The DHFR reaction product also increased but less markedly. No reaction for ALP was observed in lymphocytes of lymphoid organs studied. Following E. coli immunisation, there is an increase in glycolytic and respiratory metabolism, and in the synthesis of proteins in T-dependent areas of lymphoid organs. These increases are correlated with immune activation of T-cells in these organs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bancroft JD, Hand NM (1987) Demonstration of dehydrogenases. In: Royal Microscopical Society (eds), Enzyme histochemistry. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 53–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Blanden RV, Langman RE (1972) Cell mediated immunity to bacterial infection in the mouse. Thymus derived cells as effectors of acquired resistance to Listeria monocytogenes. Scand J Immunol 1:379–388

    Google Scholar 

  • Duijvestijn AM, Hoefsmit ECM (1981) Ultrastructure of the rat thymus; the microenvironment of T-lymphocytes maturation. Cell Tissue Res 218:279–292

    Google Scholar 

  • Free MJ (1970) Carbohydrate metabolism in the testis. In: Johnson AD, Gomes WR, Van Denmark NL (eds) The testis, Vol. 2. Academic Press, New York, p 125–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedman A, Meidovsky A, Leitner G, et al. (1991) Decreased resistance and immunoresponse to E.coli infection in chicks with low or high vitamin A. J Nutr 121:395–400

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerzeli G, De Piceis Polver P (1969) Studio citochimico della tetraidrofolico deidrogenasi nel sangue di pollo nel corso dell 'indagine sperimentale con Plasmodium gallinaceum. Riv Parassitol 30:19–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Gomori F (1951) Alkaline phosphatase of cell nuclei. J Lab Clin Med 37:526

    Google Scholar 

  • Goosman J, Lohler J, Lehman-Grube F (1991) Entry of antivirally active T-lymphocytes into the thymus of virus-infected mice. J Immunol 146:293–297

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamperdijk EWA, Raaymakers EM, De Leeuw JHS et al. (1978a) Lymph-node macrophages and reticulum cells in the immune response. Cell Tissue Res 192:1–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamperdijk EWA, DE Leeuw JHS, Hoefsmit ECM (1978b) Lymph node macrophages and reticulum cells in the immune response. Cell Tissue Res 227–290

  • Kendall MD (1991) Functional anatomy of the thymic microenvironment. J Anat 177:1–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurnick IT, Clustery RT, Bhan AK, et al. (1988) Escherichia coli-specific T-lymphocytes in experimental pyelonephritis. J Immunol 141:3220–3226

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall AME, White F (1961) The immunological reactivity of the thymus. Br J Exp Pathol 42:379–385

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller TE, Findon G (1988) Exacerbation of experimental pyelonephritis by cyclosporin A. J Med Microbiol 26:245–250

    Google Scholar 

  • Mueller-Hermelink HK, Heuserman U, Stutte HJ (1974) Enzyme histochemical observations in the localizations and structure of the T-cell and B-cell regions in the human spleen. Cell Tissue Res 154:167–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Nieuwenhius SP, Stel RJM, Wagenaar JPA, et al. (1988) The transcapular route: a new way for (self)-antigens to by-pass the blood barrier? Immunology 9:372–375

    Google Scholar 

  • Oberti J, Roux J, Sanchez-Teff J, et al. (1978) The early events of experimental Brucella infection in the mouse. Virchows Arch A 380:187–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohmori J, Miyakama K, Kotani M (1989) Migration of carbon-laden peritoneal macrophages into the thymus of autoimmune New Zealand mice. J Anat 1965:9–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Owen JT (1972) The origin and development of lymphocyte populations. Ciba Found Symp 35

  • Raviola E, Karnovsky MS (1972) Evidence for blood-thymus barrier using electron-opaque tracers. J Exp Med 136:466–497

    Google Scholar 

  • Sainte Marie G (1963) Antigen penetration into the thymus. J Immunol 91:840–845

    Google Scholar 

  • Steven D, Douglas MD (1976) Cells involved in immune responses. In: Basic and clinical immunology, Lange Med, Los Atlas, CA pp 70–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Tew JG, Mandel RP, Phipp S, et al. (1984) Tissue localization and retention of antigen in relation to the immune response. Am J Anat 170:407–420

    Google Scholar 

  • Unanue ER, Beller DI, Lucy CY, et al. (1984) Antigen presentation: comment on its regulation and mechanism. J Immunol 132:1–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Ewijk W, Rouse RV, Weissman IL (1980) Distribution of H-2 microenvironment in the mouse thymus. J Histochem Cytochem 28:1089–1099

    Google Scholar 

  • Veerman AJP, Van Ewijk W (1975) White pulp compartment in the spleen of rats and mice. Cell Tissue Res 156:416–441

    Google Scholar 

  • Ventura RG, Rodella L, Corsetti G, et al. (1991) The T-immune response by histochemical methods. Basic Appl Histochem 35:306

    Google Scholar 

  • Von Manfred O (1973) Substrate and enzyme histochemical investigations of the mesenchimol cells — including the microglia — of the normal brain of the rabbit. Acta Histochem 47:289–304

    Google Scholar 

  • Waldron JA, Horn RG, Rosenthal AS (1973) Antigen-induced proliferation of guinea pig lymphocytes in the recognition of antigen by immune T-lymphocytes. J Immunol 111:58–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Winter SG, Holtzman E (1972) The fate of exogenous peroxidase in the thymus of newborn and young adult mice. J Histochem Cytochem 20:445–462.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rezzani, R., Rodella, L., Corsetti, G. et al. The immune response in lymphoid organs of rat: A cytochemical study. Comp Haematol Int 4, 37–42 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00368265

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00368265

Keywords

Navigation