Intraepithelial Lymphocytes in the Normal Epididymis. A Mechanism for Tolerance to Sperm Auto‐Antigens?

Ritchie, A. W. S.; Hargreave, T. B.; James, Keith; Chisholm, G. D.

doi:10.1111/j.1464-410x.1984.tb07169.x

Cited by 94 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 11 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…1988). In the human epididymis, immunocytochemical studies using antibodies to various leukocyte markers revealed T helperhnducer lymphocytes in the interstitium, whereas the majority of lymphocytes in the epithelium were the suppressor/cytotoxic variety and were thought to form part of a n immunological barrier by preventing the development of an immune response to autoantigens on luminal spermatozoa (El-Demiry et al, 1985;Ritchie et al, 1984). In contrast, macrophages were the main immunologic cell type detected in the normal mouse epididymidis (Nashan et al, 1989).…”

Section: Cells Of the Lnfersfifial Reactionsmentioning

confidence: 81%

Ultrastructure of epididymal interstitial reactions following vasectomy and vasovasostomy

et al. 1993

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The response of the male reproductive tract to vasectomy includes inflammation of the interstitial tissue of the epididymis. The pathogenesis of epididymal interstitial reactions and characteristics of the responding cells were studied by electron microscopy in Lewis rats at intervals following bilateral vasectomy, vasectomy followed 1 month later by vasovasostomy, or sham operations. In areas of interstitial reaction, numerous macrophages, monocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and plasma cells occupied the connective tissue. Macrophages, containing many lysosomes and vesicles, aggregated and assumed the appearance of epithelioid cells. Processes of adjacent macrophages interdigitated with one another and closely approached the surfaces of lymphocytes. Many plasma cells with distended rough endoplasmic reticulum appeared in the interstitium. The majority of animals in the vasectomy and vasovasostomy groups exhibited epididymal interstitial changes by 2-3 months; the cauda epididymidis was the region most often affected. The ultrastructural features were indicative of chronic granulomatous inflammation and were consistent with an immune response that includes antigen presentation by macrophages to lymphocytes, lymphocyte differentiation, and local antibody production by plasma cells. The nearly complete absence of sperm or recognizable parts thereof in the interstitial tissue in the areas of the reactions suggests that these lesions formed in response to soluble antigens leaking from the duct. Vasovasostomy was not effective in reversing or retarding epididymal inflammation at the intervals studied.

show abstract

Section: Cells Of the Lnfersfifial Reactionsmentioning

confidence: 81%

Ultrastructure of epididymal interstitial reactions following vasectomy and vasovasostomy

et al. 1993

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Similarly, few or no B cells were observed in the human epididymis, although they were present in more distal parts of the tract (El-Demiry et al, 1985;Ritchie et al, 1984) and staining for secretory IgA was observed in epithelial cells of the prostate and urethral glands (Sirigu et al, 1995). In the rat, plasma cells containing IgA were found only in the urethral gland; and secretory component (SC), which is necessary for transport of polymeric IgA across epithelia, was detected in urethral glands, ejaculatory ducts, and the ducts of several accessory glands but not in the epididymis (Parr and Parr, 1989).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The human epididymal epithelium was reported to contain suppressor/cytotoxic lymphocytes (CD81), whereas helper/inducer lymphocytes (CD41) were detected in the interstitium; it was suggested that these cells functioned as part of an immunological barrier in the epididymis (Ritchie et al, 1984;El-Demiry et al, 1985), although other authors have questioned whether these lymphocyte subtypes are strictly compartmentalized (Pudney and Anderson, 1993). On the other hand, macrophages were the predominant cell type detected immunocytochemically in the normal mouse epididymis (Nashan et al, 1989).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution of leukocytes in the epithelium and interstitium of four regions of the Lewis rat epididymis

et al. 1997

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Leukocytes expressing different surface markers were studied in four regions of the epididymis of Lewis rats. Cells resembling lymphocytes or monocytes had been described in the epididymis, but previous studies differed as to their nature and immunologic significance. Methods: Frozen sections were immunocytochemically stained with monoclonal antibodies W3/25, OX‐8, OX‐42, and RLN‐9D3, which are directed toward markers on CD4+ cells, CD8+ cells, macrophages, and B lymphocytes, respectively. The concentration of stained cells in the epithelium and interstitial tissue of the initial segment, caput, proximal cauda, and distal cauda regions was determined by a procedure based on the optical disector method. Results: CD4+ leukocytes were present in greater concentration than CD8+ cells or macrophages in both the epithelium and interstitial tissue of all four regions. In the epithelium, the concentration of CD8+ leukocytes was greater than that of macrophages in the initial segment, caput, and distal cauda. In the interstitium, however, the concentration of macrophages exceeded that of CD8+ cells in both parts of the cauda. Macrophages and T lymphocytes were generally present in greater concentrations in the interstitium than in the epithelium, especially in the more proximal parts of the epididymis. In contrast to T cells, B lymphocytes were not detected in the interstitium or epithelium of any of part of the epididymis, despite prominent staining of B cells in other locations. Conclusions: The epididymal epithelium of the Lewis rat contains many T lymphocytes, which may correspond to ‘halo’ cells. CD4+ leukocytes predominate in all regions of the epididymis. The interstitium may function as a reservoir of leukocytes for the epithelial compartment. The epididymis is not normally a site for local immunoglobulin synthesis. Anat. Rec. 248:380‐390, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

show abstract

“…and sheep epithelia , including intestine." Ritchie et al 39 suggested that intra-epithelial CDS + (suppressor Icytotoxic T-cell) lymphocytes were an integral part ofthe "blood-testis" barrier preventing any host reaction against intraluminal spermatozoa. Oth er researchers observed both CD4 + and CDS+ intraepithelial lymphocytes in human epididymis , but did not comment on their relati ve prevalence."…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

T and B Lymphocyte Subsets in Spermatic Granulomas in Five Rams

et al. 1991

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Epididymal sperma tic granu lomas from five adult (>4 years old) rams from a commercial flock were evaluated by qu antitative histologic methods. Sections were stained for isotype specific im munoglobulin (Ig)-containing cells or specific lym phocyte subsets, as indicated by plasma membrane staining with monoclonal antibodies (MoAb). For the purpose of ana lysis, individual spermatic gran ulomas were allocat ed to one of three groups (early , reso lving , or int erm ediate) on the basis of histologic examination. Ig-cont aining cells were most prevalent in earl y sper matic granulomas, and IgG-containing cells predominated in all sper ma tic granulomas regardl ess of their presum ed age. IgM immunoglobulin-containing cells were the next in prevalence, and 19A-containing cells were infrequent. Assessment of lymphocyte subsets confirmed that lymphocytes present were of both T-and B-celilineage and were well repr esent ed in all spermatic granulomas. CD4 + (MHC Class Ilrestricted " helper" ) T-cells were more prevalent in early spermatic granulomas than in int erm ediate or resolving types, while CD8 + (MHC Class I-restricted, "c yto toxic/s uppressor") T-cells were more prevalent in spermatic granulomas of the intermediate type. T hese result s suggest that in addition to an essentia lly foreign bod y reaction to extrav asa ted sperma tozoa , both local production of antibody and accumulati on of a variety of B-and T-Iymphocytes ar e present in ov ine sperma tic granulomas.

show abstract

Intraepithelial Lymphocytes in the Normal Epididymis. A Mechanism for Tolerance to Sperm Auto‐Antigens?

Cited by 94 publications

References 11 publications

Ultrastructure of epididymal interstitial reactions following vasectomy and vasovasostomy

Ultrastructure of epididymal interstitial reactions following vasectomy and vasovasostomy

Distribution of leukocytes in the epithelium and interstitium of four regions of the Lewis rat epididymis

T and B Lymphocyte Subsets in Spermatic Granulomas in Five Rams

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About