Abstract
The distribution of T- and B-cells in the developing lymphoid and immunohaematopoietic tissues of the tammar wallaby were investigated using antibodies to the mature cell surface markers, CD3, CD5 and CD79b. In the thymus, CD3- and CD5-positive T-cells were first observed at day 12 postpartum whilst rare B-cells were first detected at day 23. Both T- and B-lymphocytes were first stained on day 21 postpartum in the spleen and day 24 in lymph nodes. In one sample from a 7-day-old animal, rare CD79b-positive (CD79b +) lymphocytes were observed in the gut-associated lymphoid tissues. However, CD3 + cells were not apparent until day 12 and CD5 + cells were not detected until day 74 postpartum. No lymphocytes were detected in liver or bone marrow samples and no bronchus-associated lymphoid tissues were observed. The pattern of development and the distribution of T- and B-cells in the lymphoid and immunohaematopoietic tissues were similar to those observed in eutherian mammals and in limited studies of other metatherians. However, the detection of apparently mature T- and B-cells in the thymus and gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) at the same postnatal age highlights the need for a more substantial study of the development of GALT. This is, at present, limited by availability of marsupial-specific antibodies.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 123-131 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of Anatomy |
Volume | 203 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2003 |
Keywords
- B-cells
- T-cells
- development
- immune system
- marsupials
- Marsupials
- Development
- Immune system