Distribution of non-myelinating Schwann cells and their associations with leukocytes in mouse spleen revealed by immunofluorescence staining

Ma, Bin; Yin, Changfu; Hu, Dailun; Newman, Mark; Nicholls, P.K.; Wu, Zhanjun; Greene, Wayne K.; Shi, Zhijun

doi:10.4081/ejh.2018.2890

Cited by 12 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 46 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In addition, in these reports, only scattered/sparse nerve fibers primarily associated with plexi along the trabeculae have been observed in the red pulp 13 . However, our study has demonstrated: (a) the presence of nerve fibers in each compartment of the spleen, including the splenic nodules, marginal zones, and red pulp, although the number of nerve fibers in the splenic nodules is much fewer compared with that of other compartments; (b) the intensity of nerve fibers in PALS and marginal zones is much higher than that of nerve fibers in some previous reports 11,[18][19][20] ; (c) the intensity of nerve fibers is similar to that of Remak fibers (indirectly demonstrated by non-myelinated Schwann cells) inside the spleen as shown in one of our previous studies 22 .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

“…Close associations/interactions of nerve fibers and DCs have been observed inside the spleen in some reports 24 . In our previous study, we have also detected close association of a few subsets of DCs with Remak fibers in the splenic white pulp and red pulp 22 . In the present study, we have revealed intensive nerve-DC associations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 56%

“…Branches from the celiac plexus, left celiac ganglion, and the right vagus nerve form the nerve plexi inside the spleen. At the hilum, nerve fibers from the splenic nerve enter the spleen around the splenic artery, travel with the vasculature in the plexi, continue into the spleen along the trabeculae with the trabecular plexi, and extend into the white pulp including the splenic nodules and PALS 18,22 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The information on the innervation and nerve-immune interactions within the spleen remains very limited, given the studies described above. We have demonstrated in our previous study the existence of non-myelinating Schwann cells and Remak fibers (including small nociceptive (C-type) axons, postganglionic sympathetic axons, and some preganglionic sympathetic/parasympathetic fibers) inside the mouse spleen 22 . In the present study, a rabbit anti-neurofilament heavy (NF-H) antibody was utilized as a reliable marker to characterize the nerves/ nerve fibers inside the mouse spleen.…”

mentioning

confidence: 91%

“…NF-H has been utilized as a cellular marker for the characterization of nerve/nerve fibers in the lymphoid organs (e.g., thymus, lymph node, and spleen) across several species (e.g., human and rat) 19,22,24,25 . By using immunofluorescent staining and confocal microscopy/three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction, we have now investigated the distribution of nerve fibers and PNS-immune cell relationship in situ in the mouse spleen to improve our knowledge of the microanatomical basis of bi-directional communication of the PNS and secondary lymphoid tissue/organs (e.g., spleen, lymph nodes, and gut-associated lymphoid tissue).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Distribution of nerve fibers and nerve-immune cell association in mouse spleen revealed by immunofluorescent staining

Al-Shalan

Shi

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The central nervous system regulates the immune system through the secretion of hormones from the pituitary gland and other endocrine organs, while the peripheral nervous system (PNS) communicates with the immune system through local nerve-immune cell interactions, including sympathetic/parasympathetic (efferent) and sensory (afferent) innervation to lymphoid tissue/organs. However, the precise mechanisms of this bi-directional crosstalk of the PNS and immune system remain mysterious. To study this kind of bi-directional crosstalk, we performed immunofluorescent staining of neurofilament and confocal microscopy to reveal the distribution of nerve fibers and nerveimmune cell associations inside mouse spleen. Our study demonstrates (i) extensive nerve fibers in all splenic compartments including the splenic nodules, periarteriolar lymphoid sheath, marginal zones, trabeculae, and red pulp; (ii) close associations of nerve fibers with blood vessels (including central arteries, marginal sinuses, penicillar arterioles, and splenic sinuses); (iii) close associations of nerve fibers with various subsets of dendritic cells, macrophages (Mac1 + and F4/80 +), and lymphocytes (B cells, T helper cells, and cytotoxic T cells). Our data concerning the extensive splenic innervation and nerve-immune cell communication will enrich our knowledge of the mechanisms through which the PNS affects the cellular-and humoral-mediated immune responses in healthy and infectious/noninfectious states. The human nervous system includes the central nervous system (CNS; containing the brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS; containing the sensory (somatic sensory and visceral sensory) and motor (somatic motor divisions and the autonomic nervous system (ANS; including sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric components))) 1. Recent studies have demonstrated that bi-directional communication/interaction between the nervous system and the immune system plays a crucial role in the host's responses to pathogen invasion, tissue injury, and other homeostatic dangers/threats 1-5. The functional organization of the neural control of the immune system is based on principles of reflex regulation 6. For example, the immune system is regulated by the CNS through the secretion of hormones from the pituitary and other neuroendocrine/endocrine organs 7,8 and by the PNS through local nerve (fiber)-immune cell interactions. The PNS can regulate the development, deployment, and homeostatic regulation of the immune system 3. This type of local neuroimmune interaction involves the "hardwiring" of sympathetic/parasympathetic (efferent) and visceral sensory (afferent) nerves to primary and secondary lymphoid tissue/organs 4-6. Neurotransmitters (e.g., acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and histamine) and neuropeptides (e.g., vasoactive intestinal peptide and substance P) released from nerve terminals (or even from the immune cells) might modulate the immune response in homeostasis and diseases 9. Cytokines and other immunologic factors synthesized a...

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 56%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 91%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Distribution of nerve fibers and nerve-immune cell association in mouse spleen revealed by immunofluorescent staining

Al-Shalan

Shi

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Spleen glia are a transcriptionally unique glial subtype interposed between immune cells and sympathetic axons

Lucas

Zhu

Buckwalter

2021

Glia

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Glia are known to play important roles in the brain, the gut, and around the sciatic nerve. While the gut has its own specialized nervous system, other viscera are innervated solely by autonomic nerves. The functions of glia that accompany autonomic innervation are not well known, even though they are one of the most abundant cell types in the peripheral nervous system. Here, we focused on non‐myelinating Schwann cells in the spleen, spleen glia. The spleen is a major immune organ innervated by the sympathetic nervous system, which modulates immune function. This interaction is known as neuroimmune communication. We establish that spleen glia can be visualized using both immunohistochemistry for S100B and GFAP and with a reporter mouse. Spleen glia ensheath sympathetic axons and are localized to the lymphocyte‐rich white pulp areas of the spleen. We sequenced the spleen glia transcriptome and identified genes that are likely involved in axonal ensheathment and communication with both nerves and immune cells. Spleen glia express receptors for neurotransmitters made by sympathetic axons (adrenergic, purinergic, and Neuropeptide Y), and also cytokines, chemokines, and their receptors that may communicate with immune cells in the spleen. We also established similarities and differences between spleen glia and other glial types. While all glia share many genes in common, spleen glia differentially express genes associated with immune responses, including genes involved in cytokine‐cytokine receptor interactions, phagocytosis, and the complement cascade. Thus, spleen glia are a unique glial type, physically and transcriptionally poised to participate in neuroimmune communication in the spleen.

show abstract

Single Cell Transcriptomics Identifies Distinct Choroid Cell Populations Involved in Visually Guided Eye Growth

Summers

Cano

Sharp

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Postnatal ocular growth is regulated by a vision-dependent mechanism, termed 'emmetropization', which acts to minimize refractive error through coordinated growth of the ocular tissues. Many studies suggest that the ocular choroid participates in the emmetropization process via the production of scleral growth regulators that control ocular elongation and refractive development. To elucidate the role of the choroid in emmetropization, we used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to characterize the cell populations in the chick choroid and compare gene expression changes in these cell populations during conditions in which the eye is undergoing emmetropization. UMAP clustering analysis identified 24 distinct cell clusters in all chick choroids. 7 clusters were identified as fibroblast subpopulations; 5 clusters represented different populations of endothelial cells; 4 clusters were CD45+ macrophages, T cells and B cells; 3 clusters were Schwann cell subpopulations; and 2 clusters were identified as melanocytes. Additionally, single populations of RBCs, plasma cells and neuronal cells were identified. Significant changes in gene expression between control and treated choroids were identified in 17 cell clusters, representing 95% of total choroidal cells. The majority of significant gene expression changes were relatively small (< 2 fold). The highest changes in gene expression were identified in a rare cell population (0.11% - 0.49% of total choroidal cells). This cell population expressed high levels of neuron-specific genes as well as several opsin genes suggestive of a rare neuronal cell population that is potentially light sensitive. Our results, for the first time, provide a comprehensive profile of the major choroidal cell types and their gene expression changes during the process of emmetropization as well as insights into the canonical pathways and upstream regulators that coordinate postnatal ocular growth.

show abstract

Distribution of non-myelinating Schwann cells and their associations with leukocytes in mouse spleen revealed by immunofluorescence staining

Cited by 12 publications

References 46 publications

Distribution of nerve fibers and nerve-immune cell association in mouse spleen revealed by immunofluorescent staining

Distribution of nerve fibers and nerve-immune cell association in mouse spleen revealed by immunofluorescent staining

Spleen glia are a transcriptionally unique glial subtype interposed between immune cells and sympathetic axons

Single Cell Transcriptomics Identifies Distinct Choroid Cell Populations Involved in Visually Guided Eye Growth

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About