In vitro morphological characterization of the bursal reticuloepithelial (REp) cells of chicken.

The REp cells of the bursa follicle medulla of chicken were isolated in vitro. Culture of the REp cells was maintained over a period of 10 days and the cells were observed at 3 and 10 days by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunofluorescence. The use of an anticytokeratin monoclonal antibody confirmed their epithelial nature. TEM observations showed the presence of desmosomes and tonofilaments, which are characteristic of epithelial cells. Furthermore, to some extent the cells regenerated in vitro the network they form in vivo. Though the growth rate becomes slower with time, the features of the REp cells do not significantly change.