Apoptosis and phagocytosis of allogenic blood elements in the spleen of rabbit after intravenous infusion

After the recent introduction of blood cell separators, separate blood cell components became available for therapy of the serious hematologic diseases. However, unmatched transfused leukocytes and platelets express a variety of antigens that can be recognized by immunoglobulins of the recipients. Since these transfusion trials were clinically disputed, an experiment was designed to study the ultra structural changes of these cells during apoptosis and phagocytosis processes in the spleen of adult rabbit over 24 hours period after intravenous infusion of allogenic formed blood elements. Blood formed elements were found to be trapped early inside the splenic parenchyma in samples taken two hours after infusion. Apoptosis occurred earlier in polymorph nuclear leukocytes probably due to their high content of hydrolytic enzymes. Splenic macrophages were easily identified among the heavy cellular population composing the splenic parenchyma by their general morphology and containment of lysosomes and digestive vacuoles. The phagocytic activity of these cells was found to be directed toward transfused allogenic dying and even apparently normal formed blood elements. Based on the previous data, it may be concluded that the transfused allogenic blood formed elements readily become trapped and phagocytosed early in the splenic filter. This in vivo model may provide us a simple method to the histopathological structural characteristics associated with the clinically described refractory responses to transfusion therapy and evokes inquiry about the value of unmatched leukocytes and platelets transfusions

The spleen of a specialy adapted mammal: the little hairy armadillo Chaetophractus vellerosus, (Xenarthra, dasypodidae): a light and electron microscopic study / El Bazo de un Mamífero con Adaptaciones Especiales: el "Peludo Chico" Chaetophractus vellerosus, (Xenarthra, Dasypodidae). Estudio con Microscopía de Luz y Electrónica

El bazo es un órgano multipotencial y en su microarquitectura se reflejan tanto la filogenia como la adaptación de cada grupo animal e inclusive de cada especie. Los armadillos son un clado antiguo y geográficamente aislado de mamíferos que muestra una mezcla de estructuras ancestrales y modernas. En este trabajo se estudian la microanatomía y citología del bazo del peludo chico Chaetophractus vellerosus. El material se fijó y procesó según las técnicas de rutina de microscopías óptica y electrónica. Los resultados muestran un órgano mediano, del tipo de acumulación, con la típica segregación de pulpas. La pulpa blanca está bien desarrollada pero menos organizada que en otros armadillos. Se observa la presencia de células morfológicamente similares a las foliculares dendríticas y a las interdigitantes, así como agrupamientos de células inmunocompetentes. Estas características apoyan la importancia del órgano en la función inmune. La pulpa roja es un entramado de espacios vasculares y células libres y fijas. Se reconocen, por primera vez en el Género, la presencia de sinusoides esplénicos. El tejido hemopoyético está presente pero menos desarrollado que en otros Euphractini. Se discute la organización y el tamaño del bazo en contextos filogenético y adaptativo.

The spleen is a multifunctional organ. Its microarchitecture reflects so well the phylogeny as the adaptation to niche in each animal group and inclusive in each species. Armadillos, as ancient and isolated mammals, show a mixture of ancestral and modern structures. In this work the microanatomy and cytology of the spleen of the little hairy armadillo Chaetophractus vellerosus was studied. The material was fixed and processed according to the typical methods for light and electron microscopy. Results show a cumulative medium sized spleen with the typical pulps. The white pulp is well developed but less defined than in other armadillos. The presence of follicular-dendritic-like cells and interdigitant dendritic-like cells, as well as clusters of immunocompetent cells agrees with an active immunological activity. The red pulp is a meshwork of circulatory spaces and cells. The presence of splenic sinusoids is recognized for the first time in the genus. Hemopoietic tissue is less developed than in other Euphractini. The microarchitecture and size of the spleen of C. vellerosus is discussed in a phylogenetic and adaptive context.

proportions of the white and red pulps of the human fetal spleen

To compare the proportions of white and red pulps of the human spleen during the fetal period. We performed this study in the Department of Anatomy and Pathology of Suleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Medicine, Isparta, Turkey, from the period between 2002-2003. Spleens from 137 dead fetuses aged between 9 and 40 weeks were embedded into paraffin blocks following classical histological steps and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. White and red pulps could be differentiated only in 25 cases [13 males, 12 females]. The proportions of the areas of white and red pulps [the trabeculae were included into the red pulp and the groups of lymphocytes were included into the white pulp] were estimated by point counting method on the sections taken from different parts of the spleens by systematic randomized sampling technique. It has been ascertained that the white pulp has been distinguished from 20th week onwards during the fetal period. The proportion of the white pulp area has been found to be 22.3% [of total white and red pulp areas] at the 20th week and has come to 37.6% at the 40th week. Concerning the trimesters, the proportion of the white pulp area has been found to be 30% [of total white and red pulp areas] at the 2nd trimester and has come to 36% at full term. While the white pulp area had a positive correlation with the gestational age [r: 0.34], the red pulp area had a negative one [r: -0.34]. No difference has been found among gender. Reference values have been obtained about the proportions of white and red pulp areas of human fetal spleen

histological study of the effect of verrucarin J-toxin on the kidney and spleen of adult male mice

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of verrucarin J-toxin [which is one of the metabolic products of fungi that naturally contaminate cereal crops] on the structure of the kidney and spleen of adult male mice. Thirty male mice were used in this study. The animals were divided into three groups [10 mice each]. Group I was injected with saline and served as control. Groups II and III were injected intraperitoneally with single dose of 0.5 mg/kg and 0.9 mg/kg of verrucarin.J toxin respectively. Animals were sacrificed after 4 weeks of administration. Specimens from both kidney and spleen were taken and prepared for both light and electron microscopic examination. The changes observed in the structure of both kidney and spleen were dose dependent. In the kidney, there was extensive vacuolation of the tubular lining cells. The nuclei were dense and irregular. Large focal areas of cellular infiltration were frequently observed. Ultrastructurally, the proximal tubular cells showed disruption in the apical microvilli. Large vacuoles and myelin-like figures were also observed. The distal tubules showed exfoliation of some cells into the lumen. In the spleen, some cells showed degenerative changes in the form of demise irregular nuclei and vacuolated cytoplasm. There were large cells with irregular nuclei and voluminous cytoplasm scattered among the splenic cells in the red pulp. Electron microscopic examination revealed giant cells with electron dense cytoplasm and irregular nuclei with clumps of chromatin granules. The cytoplasm was so dense that the organelles were hardly identified

Ultrastructure immunohistopatholgical study on the anti-inflammatory response to dexamethasone under the influence of pyrethroids

The present study investigates the interaction of Dexamethasone with acute inflammation induced by Carrageenan [CGN] in the presence of the synthetic insecticide pyrethroid. Sixty adult male Sprague Dawly rats were utilized to study the immunological, histological and ultrastructure of the spleen, thymus gland and skeletal muscles. The animals were divided into six groups: Control group, carrageenan-treated group, carrageenan-dexamathasone-treated group, and three insecticide exposed groups, one of them was exposed to insecticidal preparation only whereas the two other groups were treated with either CGN or CGN with dexamethasone. Microscopic examination of spleen and thymus gland parraffin sections of the CGN animals showed distortion of their normal architecture, degenerative changes and dilated and congested blood capillaries. Moreover, hyaline appearance, hemorrhage, cellular debris and necrosis could be observed. Extensive changes in the skeletal muscles were observed, while electron microscopic examination revealed irregular shaped nuclei and mitochondria. In addition insecticide-exposed CGN treated groups have shown microscopic degenerative changes both in spleen and thymus. These degenerative changes disappeared when treated with dexamethasone. Ultrastructure examination showed highly disintegrated myofilaments and completely degenerated mitochondria of the skeletal muscle. This study included also the determination of serum total protein, albumin, globulin and total immunoglobulin G, which recorded a disturbance in the immunoresponse, especially in the carrageenan and dexamethasone, pyrethroids-exposed groups

Ultrastructural comparison between the effect of secretory / exceretory products of lung stage and the mechanical S. mansoni schistosomula on each of S. mansoni worm and lymphocyte activation

Ultrastructural observations were made to evaluate the effect of secretory/excretory product [SEP] of 7-days old lung stage S. mansoni schistosomula and the mechanical schistosomula on each of S. mansoni worm, lymphocyte activation and humoral immune response in an attempt to develop a protective vaccine with potent efficiency. Multiple doses [100 micro g followed by two booster doses 50 micro g each] at three weeks intervals were injected intraperitoneally into CFW1 SPE albino mice one week prior to expossure to 100 S. mansoni cercariae, mice were sacrified 6 weeks post infection. Separated worms and lymphocytes in peripheral blood, bone marrow and spleen were prepared for electron microscopic [EM] examination. Serum specific anti-schistosomula SEP IgG was measured. EM examination revealed that immunization with lung stage S. mansoni schistosomula [Group I] induced more damage to the S. mansoni worm represented by extend of the degeneration to subtegumental longitudinal muscle layer, some degeneration in the spermatocyts and vacuolation within the testis of male reproductive organ while degeneration was only whithin the tegument in worm treated with mechanical schistosomula [Group II]. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were activated in both groups while bone marrow lymphocytes were activated only in mice treated with SEP of lung stage S. mansoni schistosomula in which more activation of splenic lymphocytes could be detected in the form of increase number of plasma cells. These results confirmed by the highly significant elevation [p<0.01] in the serum level of anti-SEP IgG in group II. In conclusion, our findings showed that multiple intra-peritoneal administration of low doses of SEP released from 7 days-lung schistosomula induced more damage of the S. mansoni worms, activation of lymphocytes and a significant increase serum level of anti-schistosomula SEP IgG than that of mechanical schistosomula

Ultrastructural study on the protective role of turmeric [curcuma longa] and vitamin E against the pathologic effect of N-Nitrosodimethyl amine [NDMN] in rat spleen

N-nitrosodimethylamine [NDMN] is known to be carcinogenic to humans in various organs at relatively low levels of exposure. It induces benign and malignant tumors following its administration by various routes, including ingestion and inhalation. Humans may be exposed to N-nitroso dimethyl amine through the ingestion of food that contains it, such as cured meat products, and smoked fish. Other exposures to the chemical may be from drinking contaminated water and from breathing cigarette smoke and contaminated ambient air. Individuals are most likely to be exposed to N-Nitrosodimethylamine in occupational settings such as in the rubber, tannery, fish processing, dye, and surfactant industries. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the toxic effects of the carcinogen N- nitroso dimethylamine on the spleen as a part of the immune system. Also studying the modifying effects of Turmeric or vitamin E on the pathologic action induced by N-nitrosodimethylamine [NDMA]. Five-week-old female rats were divided into 4 groups. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were given intraperitoneal injections of NDMA [3 mg / kg body weight injection daily for 14 days]. Groupl was injected and fed standered diet, while Group 2 was fed the diet containing 500 part /million [p pm] curcumin during and post-injection while group 3 was Pretreatment with vitamin E, 0.02% w/w of the diet and a 2[nd] dose, 200 mg/kg, given 48 hrs. before nitroso-dimethylamine injection, NDMA. On the other hand group 4 was kept on the basal diet alone without injection and served as an untreated control. Group 1 was sacrificed on the day 15 after injection while the other three groups were sacrificed 8 weeks after injection.A pronounced changes were detected with NDMA, lymphocyte cell injury with inflammatory reaction and necrosis were obvious. Feeding of curcumin significantly decreased the pathological findings found in the lymphocytes cells. Vitamin E could also protect lymphocytes from damage during the necrotizing action of DMNA. The protection was found to be reduction in the induction cellular injury. These findings indicate that curcumin as well as Vitamin E give a good sign of protection against pathologic action induced by N-Nitrosodimethylamine [NDMA]

Pathology of the spleen in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. Morphometric evaluation and extracellular matrix changes

Histological, ultrastructural, morphometric and immunohistochemical data obtained from the study of spleens removed by splenectomy from 34 patients with advanced hepatosplenic schistosomiasis revealed that the main alterations were congestive dilatation of the venous sinuses and diffuse thickening of the splenic cords. Splenic cord thickening was due to an increase of its matrix components, especially type IV collagen and laminin, with the conspicuous absence of interstitial collagens, either of type I or type III. Deposition of interstitial collagens (types I and III) occurred in scattered, small focal areas of the red pulp, but in the outside of the walls of the venous sinuses, in lymph follicles, marginal zone, in the vicinity of fibrous trabeculae and in sidero-sclerotic nodules. However, fibrosis was not a prominent change in schistosomal splenomegaly and thus the designation "fibro-congestive splenomegaly" seems inadequate. Lymph follicles exhibited variable degrees of atrophy, hyperplasia and fibrous replacement, sometimes all of them seen in different follicles of the same spleen and even in the same examined section. Changes in white pulp did not seem to greatly contribute to increasing spleen size and weight, when compared to the much more significant red pulp enlargement

Funçäo mitocondrial esplênica na obstruçäo biliar extra-hepática / Splenic mitochondrial function in extrahepatic bile duct obstruction

As complicaçöes pós-operatórias em pacientes com obstruçäo biliar extra-hepática (OBE) säo elevadas e, as decorrentes de sepse chegam a 50//. Trabalhos da literatura demonstram uma deficiência do sistema imunológico, desde a migraçäo dos macrófagos até a apresentaçäo dos antígenos, na vigência da OBE. O objetivo do presente estudo é avaliar a funçäo mitocondrial esplênica de ratos submetidos a OBE. Foram estudados 26 ratos machos Wistar (p= 341,4 ñ 78,4g) divididos em três grupos: Grupo A (controle n=6), grupo B (OBE 7 dias n=10) e grupo C (OBE 21 dias n=10). Foram colhidas amostras de sangue para dosagens de bilirrubinas, fosfatase alcalina, aminotransferases e amostras de baço para estudo mitocondrial. A análise estatística dos resultados foi feita pelo teste de Wilcoxon näo pareado com nível de significância de 5//. Todos os animais submetidos a ligadura do ducto hepático apresentaram níveis elevados de bilirrubinas, fosfatase alcalina e aminotransferases em relaçäo ao grupo controle (p < 0,05). Näo se encontraram alteraçöes nos níveis de respiraçäo basal (estado IV), respiraçäo ativada por ADP (estado III) e de razäo de controle respiratório (RCR) entre os grupos (p > 0,05). Conclui-se que a OBE por sete e 21 dias näo induziu a alteraçäo da capacidade energética do baço