Morphological and Quantitative Aspects of the Development of Cytoplasmic Granules in Concanavalin A-Stimulated Normal Human Lymphocytes

Apoptosis of T cells contributes to the immune homeostasis in inflamed organs. A prominent T-cell infiltration is usually seen in human chronic active hepatitis, being associated with liver fibrosis. In order to demonstrate T-cell apoptosis in the hepatic fibrotic tissue, we induced T-cell infiltration in the fibrotic liver of the rat by injecting concanavalin A (Con A), a T-cell mitogen. Lymphocytes increased in number with a peak at 1 day, preferentially distributing in the fibrotic tissue rather than the parenchyma. They consisted of CD4-positive and CD8-positive cells, and gave the feature of lymphoblasts. Double staining for CD3 and TUNEL demonstrated that T cells underwent apoptosis. Apoptotic cells were more frequent in the fibrotic livers than the normal livers, and were spatially associated with alpha-smooth muscle actinpositive myofibroblast-like cells that possibly derived from hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and portal fibroblasts through activation. In vitro experiments demonstrated that lymphocyte apoptosis was more frequently induced in the co-culture of Con A-activated splenic T cells/activated HSCs compared to that induced in activated T cells/ quiescent HSCs or resting T cells/activated HSCs. The present results indicate that T cells which have extravasated and infiltrated the hepatic fibrotic tissue undergo apoptosis probably through an interaction with myofibroblast-like cells, suggesting the regulatory role of the latter cells in T-cell accumulation in the fibrotic liver.

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

hi@scite.ai

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Morphological and Quantitative Aspects of the Development of Cytoplasmic Granules in Concanavalin A-Stimulated Normal Human Lymphocytes

Cited by 2 publications

References 18 publications

Activation and enhanced contact of human T-lymphocytes with autologous red blood cells are required for their stable adherence at 37°

Activation and enhanced contact of human T-lymphocytes with autologous red blood cells are required for their stable adherence at 37°

Apoptosis of T cells in the hepatic fibrotic tissue of the rat: a possible inducing role of hepatic myofibroblast-like cells

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About