Dynamic of in muscle thymus after immunization

Abstract

Background. Status of thymus as central organ of immune system suppose its protection from external antigens by hematothymus barrier, but in 1960-90^s was shown possibility of external antigens infiltration into this organ. Purpose of this research was to evaluate morphological changes in muscle thymus after immunization. Methods. Experiment was under white outbred mice and mice of CBA line, by injection into peritoneal cavity of human red blood cells and bovine serum albumin. Thymus was extracted before experiment (control) and after 24, 48, 72, 96 hours after immunization. Paraffin section with haematoxylin and eosin, toluidine blue and rabbit polyclonal antibodies to histone H3 (immunohis-tochemistry). Results. Was shown significant increase of cortex cellularity and medulla of organ after 24 hours, that reach a maximum after 72 hours and go down after 96 hours after immunization. With coloration of proliferating cells by antibodies to histone H3 was shown its localization in cortex and medulla. Was shown significant increase of number of mitosis in cortex of organ. Conclusions. Results of experiment show changes in thymus morphology and activation of proliferation of thymocytes in respond of injection of antigen and allow to raise a question about conventionality of hematothymus barrier and even more about involvement of thymus in process of immune response.