Expression patterns of neuroendocrine cells in the duck thymus / 中国兽医学报
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science
;
(12): 446-450, 2008.
Article
in Chinese
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-407253
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.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Language:
Chinese
Journal:
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science
Year:
2008
Type:
Article
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