HARDERIAN GLAND AND THE BURSA OF FABRICIUS

Authors: OLAH I - SEMMELWEIS UNIV; KITTNER ZS - SEMMELWEIS UNIV; KUPPER A - SEMMELWEIS UNIV; Lillehoj, Hyun

Submitted to: International Symposium on Cell Biology and Physiology of Harderian Gland
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/1994
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The epithelial lining of the major duct before exiting from the Harderian gland becomes lymphoepithelial tissue by lymphocyte immigration. Around this proximal portion of the duct the dense lymphoid tissue consists of large number of T cells and a few germinal centers. However, the lining of the major distal portion of the duct never transforms to lymphoepithelial tissue, underneath of the epithelium extremely large number of plasma cells accumulate, which produces mainly IgM and IgA. Therefore, we followed the plasma cell alterations in the Harderian gland parallel with the B cell changes in the Bursa of Fabricius and in the spleen after cyclophosphamide (Cy) and after Cy plus conison (Co). By 28 days of age the Cy drastically reduced the IgM, IgA and IgG positive plasma cells of the Harderian gland. No Bu-1b positive cells occur in the gland. By 38 days of age the rest of IgM and IgA plasma cells is eliminated but still a few IgG positive cell exists. Possibly, the first sign of the regeneration is the appearance of Bu-1b positive cells and a slight increase in the number of K-1 cells. The Co treatment completely eliminated all immunoglobulin producing cells but not the Bu-1b and K-1 positive cells. Even the number of K-1 positive cells tremendously increased by day 13 after Co administration in the spleen and Harderian gland. Possibly, the Co suppressed the T cells which might support the proliferation of K-1 cells in the spleen and Harderian gland. It is not clear how the K-1 positive cells contribute to the B cell differentiation.