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104. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft 2006
Abstract
Abstract
SO.14.12 Investigation of M-cells in the conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue (CALT) of the rabbit by confocal in-vivo microscopy (RLSM) Knop E.1, Knop N.2, Zhivov A.3, Pleyer U.4, Rieck P.4, Velhagen K. H.4, Stave J.3, Guthoff R.3
1Research Lab of the Eye Clinic, CVK, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin; 2Department for Cell Biology in Anatomy, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover; 3University Eye Hospital Rostock, Germany; 4University Eye Clinic CVK, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Objective: M-cells are an important cellular component of the mucosal immune system of the ocular surface and serve for the transport of luminal antigens to the lymphatic cells. Previously we could show their existence in the rabbit CALT by their ultrastructure. Here it is aimed to investigate if they can also be detected in confocal microscopy (Rostock Laser Scanning Microscope, RLSM).
Methods: The nasal follicle zone of the lower tarsal conjunctiva from normal rabbits (3) was investigated in paraformaldehyde fixed moist conjunctival whole-mounts by RLSM and compared to histological and immunohistochemical (6), as well as scanning (SEM, 4) and transmission (TEM, 4) electron microscopic findings.
Results: RLSM showed the prominent roundish lymphoid follicles that occur in the conjunctiva of the rabbit. Within the follicles was a bright meshwork of fibres that may correspond to the lymphoreticular framework of the lymphoid tissue and contained lymphocytes as roundish bright corpuscles between the fibres. The follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) consisted of bright and dark cells with brighter outline similar to SEM findings. Groups of lymphocytes could be differentiated within spaces of the larger superficial cells and were either directly exposed to the lumen or covered by a superficial cytoplasmic plate. These spaces could be confluent into large cavernous rooms as similarly observed in SEM. This morphology corresponds to the ultrastructural composition of mucosal M-cells which contain lymphocytes within infoldings of their cytoplasm. Their delicate superficial cytoplasmic lamina is frequently destroyed during the preparation.
Conclusions: By RLSM conjunctival lymphoid follicles are clearly detectable as well as details of the composition of antigen transporting M-cells. This may allow further progress in the investigation of the eye-associated lymphoid tissue (EALT) that is an important component of ocular surface immune protection.
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