Expression of lymphocyte antigenic determinants in developing gut-associated lymphoid tissue of the sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.)

• Published in: Anatomy and Embryology 1997-12, Vol.196 (6), p.457-463
• Main Authors: Picchietti, S, Terribili, F R, Mastrolia, L, Scapigliati, G, Abelli, L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aging; Animals; Aquaculture; Bass - immunology; Digestive System - immunology; Fish; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Immunohistochemistry; Lymphocyte Subsets - cytology; Lymphoid Tissue - cytology
• ISSN: 0340-2061; 1863-2653; 1432-0568; 0340-2061
• DOI: 10.1007/s004290050113

The monoclonal antibodies DLT15 and DLIg3, which recognize antigenic determinants expressed by T cells and Ig-bearing cells, respectively, allowed the development of gut-associated lymphoid tissue of the teleost fish Dicentrarchus labrax (L.) to be studied. DLT15-immunoreactive cells were first detected in the epithelium of the stomach and intestine at day 30 post-hatching of fish maintained at 16 degrees C. At that age, positive cells were found only in the thymus. Between day 44 and day 81 post-hatching, DLT15-immunoreactive cells became numerous, both in and under the gut epithelium. A gradient in the number of lymphocytes was present, concentrating them towards the anus. Until day 81 post-hatching, DLIg3-immunoreactive cells were not found in the gut, although they were present in the kidney, spleen and thymus earlier. Infrequent Ig-bearing cells were found in the gut mucosa of -year-old sea bass. This study showed that the gut-associated lymphoid tissue developed earlier than other lymphoid compartments. It also provided evidence of the predominance of T cells in the gut immune system of the sea bass.