Studies on the thymus of the mammal. IV. Lipid‐laden foamy cells in the involuting thymus of the mouse

Loewenthal, Lois A.; Smith, Christianna

doi:10.1002/ar.1091120102

Cited by 29 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…The activated population of macrophages observed in this study of the N. forsteri thymus seems to be correlated to lipid‐laden foamy cells similar to those observed by Loewenthal & Smith (1952) in mouse thymus. Loewenthal & Smith (1952) showed that these cells react positively with PAS stain as do the macrophages in the lungfish thymus. Milićević et al.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…(Savino & Santa‐Rosa, 1982) and in rainbow trout, S. gairdneri (Chilmonczyk, 1983). Moreover, Loewenthal & Smith (1952) demonstrated an increase in the numbers of PAS positively stained large foamy cells in the mouse thymus as an indication of aging. Since our study looked only at juvenile lungfish, we cannot comment on any age‐dependent feature, but we can say that in juvenile lungfish there is an acidic mucin moiety that is mainly restricted to the medulla.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…These secretions could be mediators of a breakdown process taking place mainly in the medulla, as they are observed in association with foamy cells. These latter cells have been proposed to be phagocytic in other species (Loewenthal & Smith, 1952; Henery, 1966). Interestingly, the persistence of PAS positively stained material after digestion with salivary amylase has distinguished two types of epithelial cells in the thymic cortex by their different glycosylation pathways.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Anatomy and cytology of the thymus in juvenile Australian lungfish, Neoceratodus forsteri

et al. 2007

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The anatomy, histology and ultrastructure of the thymus of a dipnoan, the Australian lungfish, Neoceratodus forsteri , was studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. The thymic tissue showed clear demarcation into a cortex and medulla with ample vascularization. Large cells including foamy and giant multinucleated cells with periodic acid Schiff/Alcian blue positive staining properties were localized mainly in the medulla. The major cellular components were epithelial cells and lymphoid cells. The epithelial cells were classified by location and ultrastructure into six sub-populations: capsular cells, cortical and medullary reticular cells, perivascular endothelial cells, intermediate cells, nurse-like cells and Hassall-like corpuscles. Myoid cells were found mainly in the cortico-medullary boundary and medulla. Macrophages and secretory-like cells were also present. These findings will provide a base of knowledge about the cellular immune system of lungfish.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Anatomy and cytology of the thymus in juvenile Australian lungfish, Neoceratodus forsteri

et al. 2007

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“…The presence and origin of LLMC inside the thymic parenchyma (not only in adipose tissue in the capsule and septa) is still not well known. To our knowledge, the first report on intrathymic LLMC was in 1952, when they were described as lipid foam cells, in old rats, based on their similarity with cells found in fat degeneration such as hepatic steatosis [ 14 ]. Later, Spicer mentioned (but did not show) thymic lipid-laden phagocytes interacting with mast cells [ 15 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lipid-Laden Multilocular Cells in the Aging Thymus Are Phenotypically Heterogeneous

et al. 2015

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Intrathymic lipid-laden multilocular cells (LLMC) are known to express pro-inflammatory factors that might regulate functional activity of the thymus. However, the phenotype of age-associated intrathymic LLMC is still controversial. In this study, we evaluated LLMC density in the aging thymus and better characterized their distribution, ultrastructure and phenotype. Our results show an increased density of LLMC in the thymus from 03 to 24 months of age. Morphologically, intrathymic LLMC exhibit fibroblastoid fusiform, globular or stellate shapes and can be found in the subcapsular region as well as deeper in the parenchyma, including the perivascular area. Some parenchymal LLMC were like telocytes accumulating lipids. We identified lipid droplets with different electrondensities, lipofuscin granules and autolipophagosome-like structures, indicating heterogeneous lipid content in these cells. Autophagosome formation in intrathymic LLMC was confirmed by positive staining for beclin-1 and perilipin (PLIN), marker for lipid droplet-associated proteins. We also found LLMC in close apposition to thymic stromal cells, endothelial cells, mast cells and lymphocytes. Phenotypically, we identified intrathymic LLMC as preadipocytes (PLIN+PPARγ2+), brown adipocytes (PLIN+UCP1+), macrophages (PLIN+Iba-1+) or pericytes (PLIN+NG2+) but not epithelial cells (PLIN- panCK+). These data indicate that intrathymic LLMC are already present in the young thymus and their density significantly increases with age. We also suggest that LLMC, which are morphologically distinct, establish direct contact with lymphocytes and interact with stromal cells. Finally, we evidence that intrathymic LLMC correspond to not only one but to distinct cell types accumulating lipids.

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The thymus in mice of strain 129/J, studied with the electron microscope

Clark

1963

Am. J. Anat.

244

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Studies on the thymus of the mammal. IV. Lipid‐laden foamy cells in the involuting thymus of the mouse

Cited by 29 publications

References 9 publications

Anatomy and cytology of the thymus in juvenile Australian lungfish, Neoceratodus forsteri

Anatomy and cytology of the thymus in juvenile Australian lungfish, Neoceratodus forsteri

Lipid-Laden Multilocular Cells in the Aging Thymus Are Phenotypically Heterogeneous

The thymus in mice of strain 129/J, studied with the electron microscope

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