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The thymus is a site of mast cell development in chicken embryos

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Abstract

Thymic mast cells were studied by light and transmission electron microscopy in chicken embryos during organogenesis. Mast cells made their first appearance at day 15. At days 16 and 17, there was a burst of mast cell development with a peak of 278 ± 54 cells/mm2 at day 16. Then, mast cell density decreased until hatching. During the whole embryonic period, about 80% of mast cells localized to the thymic medulla. In the cortex, they were less numerous, and some rare mast cells could be identified in the capsule and septa. Thymic mast cells could be recognized in association with hematopoietic foci, but frequently they grew independently from areas of hematopoiesis and appeared as single cells interspersed among thymocytes, thymic epithelial cells, and interdigitating cells. They were often recognized in close relationship with the scanty and delicate extracellular matrix of the developing gland. Viewed by electron microscopy, mast cells were relatively small cells, with a few secretory granules. Exocytosis was never seen, but, notably, granules emptied in a piecemeal degranulation fashion. This study demonstrates that the chicken thymus is a site of mast cell development during embryogenesis. The high mast cell density we found suggests a possible role for these cells during thymus organogenesis.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by local funds from the Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca, Rome, to the Department of Medical and Morphological Research, Anatomy and Pathology Sections, University of Udine, Italy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical and Morphological Researches, Anatomy Section, University of Udine Medical School, P. le Kolbe no. 3, 33100, Udine, Italy

    E. Crivellato

  2. Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari Medical School, P. le Giulio Cesare 11, Policlinico, 70124, Bari, Italy

    B. Nico & D. Ribatti

  3. Department of Medical and Morphological Researches, Pathology Section, University of Udine Medical School, P. le S. Maria della Misericordia, 33100, Udine, Italy

    M. Battistig & C. A. Beltrami

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  1. E. Crivellato
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  2. B. Nico
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  3. M. Battistig
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  4. C. A. Beltrami
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  5. D. Ribatti
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Correspondence to E. Crivellato.

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Crivellato, E., Nico, B., Battistig, M. et al. The thymus is a site of mast cell development in chicken embryos. Anat Embryol 209, 243–249 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-004-0439-5

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