Distribution of zinc iodide-osmium positive dendritic cells in the human appendix

ABSTRACT

Dendritic cells are antigen-presenting cellsfound in almost every type of tissue, includinglymphatic tissue, blood and skin. In the intestinaltract, these cells are likely to play a pivotalrole in the initiation and regulation of immuneresponses. Our earlier study of the human colonand ileum revealed the presence of zinc iodideosmium-positive dendritic cells. In the presentstudy we demonstrate the presence of ZIO-positivedendritic cells in the human appendix.ZIO-positive cells were seen in the region ofcrypts of Lieberkühn as well as in the surfaceepithelium. The cells showed a single longprocess directed towards the lumen. They werelong, slender, and triangular. In the region ofthe lymphoid follicle, two different types ofdendritic cells were noted. The follicular dendriticcells present in the germinal center werefew in number, larger in size and with thickdendritic processes. However, in the mantlezone typical dendritic cells were seen. Theywere smaller in size and had many thin processes.The distribution of dendritic cells in thehuman appendix confirms the role of theappendix in the immune response (AU)

RESUMEN

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