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Heterogeneity of epithelial cells in the rat thymus
Author(s) -
De Waal Eric J.,
Rademakers Louk H.P.M.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0029(19970801)38:3<227::aid-jemt4>3.0.co;2-j
Subject(s) - medulla , pathology , epithelium , ultrastructure , biology , cortex (anatomy) , immunohistochemistry , medullary cavity , anatomy , medicine , neuroscience
The morphological heterogeneity of the thymic epithelium has been well documented both at the light and electron microscopic level. Immunohistochemistry has revealed four broad classes of epithelial cells (EC): subcapsule/perivascular, cortical, medullary EC, and medullary Hassall's corpuscles. Ultrastructural analysis has revealed further heterogeneity. In the cortex, four EC subtypes have been described ultrastructurally: subcapsular/perivascular, “pale,” “intermediate,” and “dark” EC. These subtypes are also present in the medulla. Two additional EC subtypes are restricted to the medulla: an undifferentiated subtype, and a subtype displaying signs of high metabolic activity. Based on the morphological features of the epithelium, it has been hypothetized that the thymic EC subtypes represent a process of differentiation. Microsc. Res. Tech. 38:227–236, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.