Activation of T cell for an immune response requires the participation of antigen presenting cells(APC) that express class II major histocompatibility complex gene products on their surface. Until recently, the macrophages have been considered to
be the
prime candidates for this role, but it is now recognized that other cells, including dendritic cells. B cells, activated T cells and endothelial cells, can present antigen effectively. Particularly among them, dendritic cells(DC) are considered
to
be
very efficient APC for various T-cell dependent immune response in comparison with other types of APC. DC can be classified into three categories: (1) nonlymphoid DC including the Langerhans cells, and interstitial dendritic cells (IDC), (2)
circulating
DC such as veiled cells and blood DC, (3) lymphoid DC such as interdigitating DC and follicular DC. IDCs strongly express the class II MHC products and have characteristic dendritic morphology. The monoclonal antibody ED2 recognizes a surface
antigen in
the resident tissue macrophages. As far as we know, there is no study on the ontogeny of IDC and ED2 positive marcophages in the rat urinary bladder. Therefore, the aim of present study is to investigate the ontogeny and characterization of the
IDC
and
ED2 positive macrophages in the art urinary bladder.
The development of the macrophages and dendritic cells in the rat urinary bladder was studied from the day of birth until 3 months after birth by means of immunohistochemical techniques using anti-rat class II MHC and anti-rat tissue macrophage
monoclonal antibodies.
The number of la positive cells gradually increased with age and their shape became dendritic The number of ED2 positive tissue macrophages also gradually increased with age and was higher than that of la positive DC at all stages.
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