European Journal of Anatomy

Official Journal of The Spanish Society of Anatomy
Cover Volume 10 - Number 1
Eur J Anat, 10 (1): 15-20 (2006)

Distribution of zinc iodide-osmium positive dendritic cells in the human appendix

Rabi S., Indrasingh I., Koshy S., Suganthy J.

Department of Anatomy, Christian Medical College, Vellore 632 002, India

ABSTRACT Dendritic cells are antigen-presenting cells found in almost every type of tissue, including lymphatic tissue, blood and skin. In the intestinal tract, these cells are likely to play a pivotal role in the initiation and regulation of immune responses. Our earlier study of the human colon and ileum revealed the presence of zinc iodide-osmium-positive dendritic cells. In the present study we demonstrate the presence of ZIO-positive dendritic cells in the human appendix. ZIO-positive cells were seen in the region of crypts of Lieberkühn as well as in the surface epithelium. The cells showed a single long process directed towards the lumen. They were long, slender, and triangular. In the region of the lymphoid follicle, two different types of dendritic cells were noted. The follicular dendritic cells present in the germinal center were few in number, larger in size and with thick dendritic processes. However, in the mantle zone typical dendritic cells were seen. They were smaller in size and had many thin processes. The distribution of dendritic cells in the human appendix confirms the role of the appendix in the immune response.

Keywords: iodine derivative, osmium derivative, unclassified drug, zinc derivative, zinc iodide osmium, adult, appendix, article, cell count, cell size, cell type, cellular distribution, complex formation, controlled study, dendritic cell, female, follicular dendritic cell, germinal center, human, human tissue, immune response, lymph follicle

European Journal of anatomy
ISSN 2340-311X (Online)