The diffusely-infiltrated lymphoid tissue of the bursa of fabricius of Sturnus unicolor. Histological organization and functional significance

• Fonfría Díaz, José ^[1] ; Moreno, J. ^[1] ; Gomez del Moral, M. ^[1] ; Alonso, L.M. ^[1] ; Zapata, A.G. ^[1]
  1. [1] Universidad Complutense de Madrid

     Universidad Complutense de Madrid

     Madrid, España

     
• Localización: Histology and histopathology: cellular and molecular biology, ISSN-e 1699-5848, ISSN 0213-3911, Vol. 9, Nº. 2, 1994, págs. 333-338
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • In the present study we confirm and extend previous reports about the existence of a T-dependent area in the bursa of Fabricius of some birds, analyzing ultrastructurally the cell content of the so-called diffusely-infiltrated lymphoid tissue of the bursa of the spotless starling, Sturnus unicolor. I t consists of lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages (MW) and interdigitating cells (IDCs) in a supporting reticular stroma which, apart from blood capillaries, contains postcapillary high-endothelial venules (HEVs). The presence of both IDCs and HEVs confirms the T-celldependent nature of this area, as previously claimed for other avian species, and emphasizes other functions. apart from its role in B-cell maturation, for the bursa of Fabricius specially in adult birds.