A compared study on the purification of fetal and adult rat hepatocyte suspensions by biomagnetic isolation techniques and flow cytometry analysis.

An analysis of liver cell populations from both adult and 21 day pregnancy rat fetuses (E21) was carried out. The results show that E21 hepatocytes express OX-43, as do endothelial cells but not adult hepatocytes. OX-43 could be used in future as a cell marker for the hepatocyte maturation.

Optimization of the technique to isolate fetal hepatocytes, and assessment of their functionality by transplantation.

In contrast to adult hepatocytes, fetal hepatocytes (FH) are thought to be highly proliferative less immunogenic and more resistant to both cryopreservation and ischemic injury. In the present study, we describe the method for isolation of FH and the relationship between the transplantability of FH into the spleen of analbuminemic rats and expression of albumin mRNA. Rat FH were obtained using the nonperfusion collagenase/DNase digestion method.

Ultrastructural changes in the spleen of the natterjack, Bufo calamita, after antigenic stimulation.

In the present study comparative aspects of the ultrastructure of the spleen were analyzed in non-immunized and T-dependent antigen-challenged natterjacks, Bufo calamita. Special attention is focused on the role of the non-lymphoid components in the splenic immunoreactivity. Ten days after primary immunization with sheep erythrocytes, splenic lymphoid follicles increase considerably in number and size.

Non-lymphoid cells of the anuran spleen: an ultrastructural study in the natterjack, Bufo calamita.

The present study is concerned with the ultrastructure of the spleen in the natterjack, Bufo calamita (Anura, Bufonidae), with special emphasis on the structure and function of the non-lymphoid elements occurring in the red and white pulp. The organ consists of two clearly distinguishable areas, the white and the red pulp, separated by a prominent marginal zone. Thus, the pattern of lymphocytic arrangement in the spleen of Bufo calamita corresponds to a follicular model and is similar to that reported in the primitive anurans of the Pipidae family, such as Xenopus laevis.

Aging changes in lymphopoietic and myelopoietic organs of the annual cyprinodont fish, Nothobranchius guentheri.

The thymus of aging annual, cyprinodont fish, Nothobranchius guentheri and Cynolebias adloffi begins to undergo senescent changes at approximately four months. At this time, the histopathology reveals increased amounts of connective tissue, epithelial cysts and myoid cells, but decreased numbers of thymocytes. At 12 months, of the 50 fish observed at 10 stages from day 15 and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 months the maximum time of senescence, there was an increased incidence of tumors in the oral cavity, connective tissue, kidney and liver in all 5 fish.