Lymphocyte migration in the micro-channel of splenic sheathed capillaries in Chinese soft-shelled turtles,Pelodiscus sinensis |
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Institution: | 1. Laboratory of Biochemistry of Membrane Receptors, Department of Biomathematics, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic;2. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Hlavova 8, 12000 Prague 2, Czech Republic;3. Department of Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic |
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Abstract: | The structural characteristics of the splenic sheathed capillary were investigated using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This study mainly focused on lymphocyte migration to the splenic white pulp via micro-channels in Chinese soft-shelled turtles, Pelodiscus sinensis. The results showed that the sheathed capillaries in the turtle spleen were high endothelial venule (HEV)-like vessels. These capillaries consist of micro-channels that facilitate lymphocyte migration to the splenic white pulp. The micro-channel is a dynamic structure comprising processes of endothelial cells, supporting cells, and ellipsoid-associated cells (EACs), which provides a microenvironment for lymphocyte migration. The pattern of lymphocyte migration in the micro-channel of the turtle spleen includes the following steps: (i) lymphocyte first adheres to the endothelium of the sheathed capillary, passes through the endothelial cells, and traverses through the basement membrane of the sheathed capillary; (ii) it then enters into the ellipsoid combined with supporting cells and EACs; and (iii) lymphocyte migrates from the ellipsoid to the periellipsoidal lymphatic sheath (PELS) via the micro-channel. This study provides morphological evidence for lymphocyte migration in the micro-channels of turtle spleens and also an insight into the mechanism of lymphocyte homing to the splenic white pulp of reptiles. |
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Keywords: | Micro-channel Chinese soft-shelled turtle Spleen HEV-like vessel Lymphocyte migration |
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