Henry L, Anderson G
Department of Pathology, University of Sheffield Medical School, UK.
J Anat. 1990 Feb;168:185-97.
Ninety nine human thymuses were examined immunohistochemically for the presence of immunoglobulins G, A, M. D and E, light-chains, secretory component and albumin in the cells of Hassall's corpuscles. Igs G, A, M and secretory component were present. These showed a rise after birth until the age of 20 years and also increased with the degree of involution, falling when involution became complete. Albumin was also consistently demonstrated. There was a degree of correlation between the presence of Igs and production of Igs G, A and M by plasma cells in the thymic medulla. There was a close correlation between the amounts of IgA and secretory component in the cells of Hassall's corpuscles and the thymus may have to be regarded as a part of the secretory-IgA system. Light chains of the immunoglobulin molecule were also present, with lambda predominating over kappa, possibly reflecting the same kappa/lambda ratio found with thymic immunoglobulin production. No IgD or IgE was demonstrated. The presence of albumin may represent a passive uptake of protein in senescent cells but a more active uptake of Igs, particularly IgG and IgA, could be postulated. The production of Igs in the thymus and their presence in Hassall's corpuscles could be of significance in the maturation and regulation of the immune response.
对99个人类胸腺进行免疫组织化学检查，以检测哈氏小体内细胞中免疫球蛋白G、A、M、D和E、轻链、分泌成分及白蛋白的存在情况。发现存在免疫球蛋白G、A、M和分泌成分。这些物质在出生后至20岁时呈上升趋势，并且随着退化程度的增加而增加，在退化完成时下降。白蛋白也一直被检测到。胸腺髓质中免疫球蛋白的存在与浆细胞产生免疫球蛋白G、A和M之间存在一定程度的相关性。哈氏小体细胞中免疫球蛋白A和分泌成分的量之间存在密切相关性，胸腺可能不得不被视为分泌型免疫球蛋白A系统的一部分。免疫球蛋白分子的轻链也存在，其中λ链多于κ链，这可能反映了胸腺免疫球蛋白产生中发现的相同κ/λ比例。未检测到免疫球蛋白D或免疫球蛋白E。白蛋白的存在可能代表衰老细胞中蛋白质的被动摄取，但可以推测免疫球蛋白，特别是免疫球蛋白G和免疫球蛋白A的摄取更为活跃。胸腺中免疫球蛋白的产生及其在哈氏小体中的存在可能在免疫反应的成熟和调节中具有重要意义。
