Identification of Positive Cells to Interleukin‐4 in Bovine Haemal Nodes

Abstract

The bovine haemal nodes are lymphatic organs located in the haemal circulation. Their parenchyma is represented by plasma cells, macrophages and B and T lymphocytes. The T helper type 2 (Th2) CD4 lymphocyte can be found within the T lymphocytes. The activated Th2 CD4 lymphocyte produces interleukin-4 (IL-4), a peptidic hormone involved in the acute-phase immune response. This interleukin can promote either B-lymphocyte differentiation and T-lymphocyte proliferation or it can promote the type of immunoglobulin that can be liberated. Our results have shown, by immunostaining with anti-IL-4, not only the presence and localization of these lymphocytes in bovine haemal nodes but also the participation of polymorphonuclear cells (neutrophils) in the storage of IL-4. These results give value to the humoral and cellular immunological importance of haemal nodes in bovines and they can serve as a contribution to determine the cross-reactivity of bovine IL-4 with the human anti-serum used in this work.

Distribution of Porcine Haemal Nodes and Morphological Variations in the Haemal Nodes of Cattle and West African Dwarf Goats

“…Several reports on the haemal nodes have shown that the sinusoids of haemal nodes contain pool of red blood cells. These observations correspond to earlier reports in caprine (Ezeasor and Singh, 1988;Choudhary et al, 2011), cattle (Cerrutti andGuerrero, 2001;Casteleyn et al, 2008) and dromedary camel (Zidan and Pabst, 2004). Our study further showed that haemal nodes varied greatly in size.…”

“…They are reported in the sub-lumbar area along the vena cava, thoracic and abdominal aorta, subcutaneous region of the head and mesenteric region along small blood vessels (Bacha and Bacha, 2000;Casteleyn et al, 2008). Although their functional significance is yet to be elucidated, several reports provide evidence that haemal node is involved in blood storage, erythrophagocytosis, erythopoiesis, platelet formation and immune functions (Ezeasor et al, 1989;Cerutti and Guerrero, 2001;Cerutti and Guerrero, 2008). The frequency of the occurrence of haemal nodes in the ruminant species as reported by several authors could suggest the clinical relevance of the organ, particularly in disease prevention and diagnosis; thus it is important to provide baseline information on haemal nodes of pigs, cattle and goats with their specific histological features.…”

Preservation of Haemal Nodes Fixed by Means of Two Different Aldehyde Fixatives: a Scanning Electron Microscopic Study

“…They are rounded by a connective capsule with preponderance of collagen fibres and an internal network of collagen and reticular fibres define their fine stroma. Haemal nodes develop different functions, including erythrophagocytosis, erythropoiesis, platelet formation, and immunological functions (Turner, 1971;Cecarelli et al, 1986;Cerutti & Guerrero, 2001;Cerutti & Guerrero, 2008). To understand and research these complex functions, it is first necessary to properly interpret their three-dimensional organization, and therefore is essential in achieving excellent sample preservation to carry out their study under the scanning electron microscope (SEM).…”

Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of the Vascular System in the Hemal Node of the Bovine Cervical Region

“…The hemal node (HN) appears to have a lymphoid structure, in which sinuses filled with erythrocytes are present in place of lymph sinuses. HNs are independent lymphatic organs that exist in various mammalian species and also in some birds [1,4,9,20,24,25]. Gibbes [10] described the presence of HNs in humans for the first time in 1884, and they were named by Robertson [19] in 1890.…”

“…Gibbes [10] described the presence of HNs in humans for the first time in 1884, and they were named by Robertson [19] in 1890. Since then, contradictory views have been held about their function and general biological significance [4,9,20,25]. In recent years, some new concepts have been proposed for the function of HNs including erythrophagocytosis, erythropoiesis, platelet formation and immune cell activation [4,5,21].…”