Immune System in a Monotreme: Studies on the Australian Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

Diener, E.; Ealey, E. H. M.

doi:10.1038/208950a0

Cited by 40 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 10 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Immunity. Although the major organs of the monotreme immune system are similar to those of other mammals 49 , the repertoire of immunity molecules shows some important differences from those of other mammals. In particular, the platypus genome contains at least 214 natural killer receptor genes (Supplementary Notes 18) within the natural killer complex, a far larger number than for human (15 genes 50 ), rat (45 genes 50 ) or opossum (9 genes 51 ).…”

Section: Samples It Is Now Known That Platypus Venom Is a Cocktail Omentioning

confidence: 97%

Genome analysis of the platypus reveals unique signatures of evolution

Warren¹,

Hillier²,

Graves³

et al. 2008

Nature

614

327

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A list of authors and their affiliations appears at the end of the paperWe present a draft genome sequence of the platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus. This monotreme exhibits a fascinating combination of reptilian and mammalian characters. For example, platypuses have a coat of fur adapted to an aquatic lifestyle; platypus females lactate, yet lay eggs; and males are equipped with venom similar to that of reptiles. Analysis of the first monotreme genome aligned these features with genetic innovations. We find that reptile and platypus venom proteins have been co-opted independently from the same gene families; milk protein genes are conserved despite platypuses laying eggs; and immune gene family expansions are directly related to platypus biology. Expansions of protein, non-protein-coding RNA and microRNA families, as well as repeat elements, are identified. Sequencing of this genome now provides a valuable resource for deep mammalian comparative analyses, as well as for monotreme biology and conservation.

show abstract

Section: Samples It Is Now Known That Platypus Venom Is a Cocktail Omentioning

confidence: 97%

Genome analysis of the platypus reveals unique signatures of evolution

Warren¹,

Hillier²,

Graves³

et al. 2008

Nature

614

327

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Tonsillar tissue has not been reported in the platypus to date but has been reported in the pharynx of the echidna associated with the submandibular salivary glands (Diener & Ealey, 1965). Peyer's patches have been reported as being well developed in the platypus ileum in one report (Osogoe et al 1991) and uncommon in the platypus intestine in another (Whittington, 1988).…”

Section: mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Griffiths, 1978 ;Dawson, 1983). Little has been published on lymphoid tissue or the immune response in the monotreme, and what work has been done has mostly involved the short beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) with the emphasis on the antibody response (Diener & Ealey, 1965 ;Diener et al 1967 a, b ;Diener, 1970 ;Atwell et al 1973 ;Rowlands, 1976 ;Atwell & Marchalonis 1977 ;Griffiths, 1978 ;Marchalonis et al 1978).…”

Section: mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Histological studies of these tissues in the platypus are limited but it has been reported that the parenchyma of the spleen is composed of red and white pulp supported by a capsule, trabeculae and reticular fibres (Tanaka et al 1988), that the thymus is composed of lobes divided into cortex and medulla and supported by a capsule and septa (Whittington, 1988) and that lymph nodules are single follicles scattered throughout loose connective tissue associated with blood vessels (Diener & Ealey, 1965 ;Whittington, 1988). Tonsillar tissue has not been reported in the platypus to date but has been reported in the pharynx of the echidna associated with the submandibular salivary glands (Diener & Ealey, 1965).…”

Section: mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While the full range of GALT, namely tonsils, Peyer's patches and caecal lymphoid tissue, have been reported in the echidna (Diener & Ealey, 1965 ;Griffiths, 1978 ;Whittington, 1988), only Peyer's patches and caecal lymphoid tissue have been previously reported in the platypus (Home, 1802 ;Mitchell, 1905 ;Osman Hill & Rewell, 1954 ;Krause, 1975 ;Whittington, 1988 ;Osogoe et al 1991). It is now apparent, with the detection of tonsillar tissue in this study, that the platypus has the full mammalian range of GALT with histological and immunohistological characteristics suggesting a theoretical capacity to respond to a wide range of mucosallypresented antigens.…”

Section: mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Histological and immunohistological investigation of lymphoid tissue in the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

et al. 1999

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The gross and histological appearance and the distribution of T and B lymphocytes and plasma cells are described for lymphoid tissues obtained from 15 platypuses. The spleen was bilobed and surrounded by a thick capsule of collagen, elastic fibres and little smooth muscle. White pulp was prominent and included germinal centres and periarterial lymphoid sheaths. Red pulp contained haematopoietic tissue. A thin lobulated thymus was located within the mediastinum overlying the heart. The cortex of lobules consisted of dense aggregates of small and medium lymphocytes, scattered macrophages and few reticular epithelial cells. In the medulla, Hassall's corpuscles were numerous, lymphocytes were small and less abundant, and reticular cells were more abundant than in the cortex. Lymphoid nodules scattered throughout loose connective tissue in cervical, pharyngeal, thoracic, mesenteric and pelvic sites measured 790p370 µm (meanp.., n l 39) in diameter, the larger of which could be observed macroscopically. These consisted of single primary or secondary follicles supported by a framework of reticular fibres. Macrophages were common in the germinal centres. The platypus had a full range of gut-associated lymphoid tissue. No tonsils were observed macroscopically but histologically they consisted of submucosal follicles and intraepithelial lymphocytes. Peyer's patches were not observed macroscopically but histologically they consisted of several prominent submucosal secondary follicles in the antimesenteric wall of the intestine. Caecal lymphoid tissue consisted of numerous secondary follicles in the submucosa and densely packed lymphocytes in the lamina propria. Bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue was not observed macroscopically but was identified in 7 of 11 platypus lungs assessed histologically. Lymphoid cells were present as primary follicles associated with bronchi, as aggregates adjacent to blood vessels and as intraepithelial lymphocytes. The distribution of T lymphocytes, identified with antihuman CD3 and CD5, and B lymphocytes and plasma cells, identified with antihuman CD79a and CD79b and antiplatypus immunoglobulin, within lymphoid tissues in the platypus was similar to that described in therian mammals except for an apparent relative paucity of B lymphocytes. This study establishes that the platypus has a well-developed lymphoid system which is comparable in histological structure to that in therian mammals. It also confirms the distinctiveness of its peripheral lymphoid tissue, namely lymphoid nodules. Platypus lymphoid tissue has all the essential cell types, namely T and B lymphocytes and plasma cells, to mount an effective immune response against foreign antigens.

show abstract

The Development of Immunological Capacity in Phylogenetic Perspective

Good¹

1967

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Immune System in a Monotreme: Studies on the Australian Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

Cited by 40 publications

References 10 publications

Genome analysis of the platypus reveals unique signatures of evolution

Genome analysis of the platypus reveals unique signatures of evolution

Histological and immunohistological investigation of lymphoid tissue in the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

The Development of Immunological Capacity in Phylogenetic Perspective

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About