Attila Dagdeviren

Myofibroblasts defined by electron microscopy suggest the dedifferentiation of smooth muscle within the sac walls associated with congenital inguinal hernia

Objective To ascertain the presence of myofibroblasts in sacs associated with inguinal hernia in children, through an ultrastructural evaluation using electron microscopy

Endoglin (CD 105) expression in human lymphoid organs and placenta

Endoglin (CD 105) is a cell surface antigen widely expressed on vascular endothelium, syncytiotrophoblast, some tissue macrophages, certain culture cells (including early leukemic B-lineage) and some endothelial cell lines. Though its relation to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) receptor system is well documented, its function and detailed pattern of expression still remain to be clarified. We examined the differential tissue distribution of endoglin in human lymphoid organs and placenta with several anti-CD 105 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique, and performed semi-quantitative measurements using an image-analyzing system for comparison. Arterial, venous and capillary endothelia in these organs were reactive with anti-CD 105 mAbs at varying intensities. Interestingly, a distinctly stronger staining pattern was observed in the high endothelial venules (HEVs) which may indicate a special role for endoglin in lymphocyte trafficking. Syncytiotrophoblast expressed endoglin strongly on their apical cell membrane. Extravillous trophoblasts at certain locations selectively expressed endoglin on their cell membranes, suggesting a special role for this surface antigen during trophoblast differentiation.

Distribution of inflammatory cells, adhesion molecules, intermediate filaments, and chemokine receptors in subgroups of nasal polyp patients.

Background The pathogenesis of nasal polyps (NPs) is incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of inflammatory cells, adhesion molecules, intermediate filaments, and chemokine receptors in subgroups of NP patients. Methods In total, 35 patients were enrolled (group 1, 10 patients with Samter syndrome; group 2, 10 patients with diffuse polyposis without signs of Samter syndrome; group 3: 5 patients with solitary nasal polyps; group 4, 10 controls). Immunohistochemical staining was performed for CD105, CD106, CD62E, CD4, CD8, CXCR4, CD147, CD90, CD104, BF45, vimentin, pancytokeratin, and muscle-specific actin (MSA) in all patients’ specimens. Results Expression of CD4, CD8, and CD106 were similar between the groups. Number of patients expressing CD4 in groups 1, 2, and 3 were higher than the controls. Number of patients expressing CD8 antigen were significantly higher in all three groups than in the control group. Expression of CD147 in groups 3 and 4 was significantly higher than in groups 1 and 2. CD98 expression was higher in groups 1, 2, and 3 than in group 4. The number of patients expressing vimentin in groups 1, 2, and 3 was significantly higher than in group 4. Immunostaining for pancytokeratin was positive in all patients. Conclusion In conclusion, inflammatory cell, adhesion molecule, intermediate filament, and chemokine receptor profiles in nasal polyps differ among different patient groups and control subjects. Additional specific immunohistochemical studies are necessary for development of more specific immunotherapies.

Immunophenotypic analysis of human spleen compartments

Microanatomical compartments of the human spleen are yet under evaluation as most of the present information comes from experiments on animals with different anatomical structures. Immune staining of stromal and blood-born cells by cell surface antigens facilitates the differentiation of functional microanatomical compartmentalization of immune organs, including the spleen. Twenty-two specimens from healthy adult subjects with the average age of 35.6 +/- 13.8 (Range 17 to 58) years were included in this study. Monoclonal antibodies used in this study were supplied from the 5th, 6th and 7th International Workshops and Conferences on Human Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens. Tetraspan antigens presented a rather unique staining pattern in the human spleen, suggesting special roles for each (CD9, CD53, CD63, CD151 and CD231) in certain locations. Sinus lining cells presented a distinctive antigenic profile, sharing both endothelial cell (CD31, CD36, CD54, CD62P, CD102, CD105, CD106 and CD146) and macrophage lineage characteristics. The sheathed capillaries were not restricted to the perifollicular zone alone. Extracellular matrix receptors (CD49 a, CD49 b, CD49 c, CD49 e, CD49f, CD29 and CD44) stained the penicillary arterioles and vascular smooth muscle. These molecules were also found on the vascular endothelium. Leukocyte antigens (CD11a, CD11b, CD22, CD43, CD45, CD45RB, CD45RO and CD50) were mainly expressed in the white and red pulp of the spleen at different intensities, excluding the penicillary arterioles. Activation antigens (CD26, CD71 and CD98) presented a diffuse and broad staining pattern. In conclusion, microanatomical compartmentalization, microcirculation and function of the human spleen were evaluated using a wide panel of monoclonal antibodies.

Unreported anatomical variation of septum pellucidum.

During gross anatomy dissections of the brain, a developmental abnormality of the septum pellucidum was found in a 31‐year‐old male cadaver. Other parts of the central nervous system in this cadaver were normal in every aspect. Histological samples were taken from the neighboring areas of this abnormality, and they were examined under light microscope and scanning electron microscope. In this abnormality of the septum pellucidum, the two laminae of the septum pellucidum were fused together and there was a hole located 1 cm anterior to its apex. The maximum diameter of the hole was 0.5 cm in the sagittal plane and 0.6 cm in the vertical plane. In the light microscopic and scanning electron microscopic examinations, the free margin of this foramen was regular, and the surrounding tissue was intact and histologically unique to the septum pellucidum. Ependymal cells were present at the free margin of the foramen. Cavum vergae, cavum septum pellucidum, and agenesis of the septum pellucidum are described in the literature. These three abnormalities are seen in cadavers usually with histories of schizophrenia and other psychiatric or neurologic disorders. In a retrospective study, the cadaver with this abnormality had a history of schizophrenia and no history or signs of any kind of brain or head operation. As far as we could ascertain, the abnormality described here has not been reported previously. Clin. Anat. 10:245–249, 1997.

The expression of VLA integrins in the human thymus.

UNLABELLED The integrin receptors are a family of transmembrane glycoproteins comprising non-covalent heterodimers. They interact with a wide variety of ligands including extracellular matrix glycoproteins, complement and other cells while their intracellular domains interact with the cytoskeleton. They participate in cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion in many physiologically important processes including embryological development, hemostasis, thrombosis, wound healing, immune and nonimmune defense mechanisms, and oncogenic transformation. This investigation is focused on the histological distribution of the beta 1-integrins in the human thymus, using an indirect immunoperoxidase method. With the exception of VLA-4, none of the beta 1 integrins were expressed on thymocytes which were strongly positive in the cortex and perivascular compartment, somewhat weaker in the medulla. Thymic epithelial cells were positive for VLA-1, VLA-2, VLA-3 and VLA-6, but the distribution pattern of these molecules in epithelial cells at certain locations was quite different. VLA-1 was weakly expressed by both cortical and medullary epithelial cells. VLA-2 was strongly positive in cortical epithelial cells forming a dense framework at the peripheral cortex. VLA-3 and VLA-6 selectively stained a single flattened epithelial cell layer (perilobular epithelial cells) demarcating the peripheral cortex from the surrounding perivascular compartment. VLA-1,3,5,6 were also demonstrated in the endothelial cells and subendothelial layer of the thymic vasculature. IN CONCLUSION the distribution of integrins in human thymus tissues is of special interest. Such distribution shows that the VLA integrins may have different functions in different areas. The data presented in this study may be important in evaluating the functional role of the VLA integrins in thymocyte maturation in different compartments of the thymus.

Activation Antigens during the Proliferative and Secretory Phases of Endometrium and Early-Pregnancy Decidua

Background: Clarifying the normal distribution of activation antigens will contribute to database construction studies of monoclonal-antibody-based therapies in endometrial disorders. Methods: In this study, endometrial tissue samples obtained during proliferative and secretory phases and decidual samples of early pregnancies were immunostained by the monoclonal antibodies anti-CD26, anti-CD30, anti-CD70, anti-CD71, and anti-CD98 using the indirect immunoperoxidase method. Results: CD26 is expressed on the glandular epithelium in the endometrium and decidua. Endothelial CD26 is expressed less in the decidua when compared to the endometrium. CD30 is strongly expressed by decidual cells. It is only weakly expressed on endometrial and decidual vessels. Glandular and endothelial CD70 expression is mainly seen in the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. Glandular CD71 expression is less in the decidua when compared to the endometrium. Its expression on stromal cells is more in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle and in early pregnancy deciduae. It is expressed on endometrial vessels but not on decidual vessels. Glandular CD98 is expressed more in the decidua when compared to the endometrium. This antigen exists on endometrial lymphocytes. It is strongly expressed on the endothelium in the endometrium and decidua. Conclusion: It seems that CD26 and CD70 are not involved in the functions of endometrial and decidual stromal cells. CD30 and CD71 are thought to be involved in decidualization. Absence of activation antigens other than CD98 on lymphocytes indicated an antigenic profile for large granular lymphocytes that is different from regular lymphocytes.

Endothelial Cell and Stromal Antigens in Human Periapical Granulation Tissue

Periapical granulation tissue consists of vasculature of varying sizes and types, infiltrating cells, and other stromal elements. We examined the differential expression of endothelial and stroma antigens in this tissue to determine their tissue distribution in order to obtain hints on their functions. Some of the antigens examined were present only in the endothelial lining of vasculature, including high endothelial venules (e.g. CD31 and CD105), whereas others were more widely expressed by both vascular and stromal elements (e.g. CD29, CD63, CD44, and CD151). Immunohistochemical analysis using monoclonal antibodies specific to certain tissue compartments revealed the tissue architecture more precisely and the expression of certain antigens in the tissue suggested special roles for these antigens. Tissue distribution of CD63, CD143, CD147, and CD151 in periapical granulation tissue is first reported in the present study.

Endothelial cell adhesion molecules in human dental pulp: a comparative immunohistochemical study on chronic periodontitis.

Migration of leukocytes to inflammation sites through vascular endothelium is controlled by the interactions of adhesion molecules expressed on both endothelial cells and leukocytes, most of which are already covered by cluster of differentiation (CD) codes. We examined the expression of a variety of endothelial cell adhesion molecules in human dental pulp vasculature to obtain further evidence on the tissue distribution and function of these molecules by using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. We obtained the pulp tissue samples from teeth extracted due to orthodontic reasons as controls and compared with those extracted due to chronic periodontitis. In all samples, both CD31 and CD146 were expressed by arterial, venous, and capillary endothelia. There was no significant difference between the staining intensity of normal and inflamed pulp tissues. CD102 expression on the endothelium was significantly stronger in chronic periodontitis pulp samples. CD106, CD62-E, CD62-P, CD105, and CD54 were variably expressed in control and chronic periodontitis groups. Our results indicate that CD102 represents the major endothelial cell adhesion molecule probably involved in the inflammatory reactions in chronic periodontitis.

Antigenic profile of human thymus in concurrence with “Clusters of Thymic Epithelial Staining” classification

We examined the expression of various CD coded or not yet defined antigens in human thymus samples using indirect immunoperoxidase and immunoflourescent techniques. Data obtained are presented in concurrence with Clusters of Thymic Epithelial Staining (CTES) classification for various monoclonal antibodies recognizing CD antigens (CD1, CD1a, CD6, CD9, CD14, CD16, CD29, CD30, CD32, CD44, CD45RB, CD47, CD48, CD49a, CD49b, CD49c, CD49d, CD49e, CD49f, CD51, CD53, CD54, CD56, CD57, CD63, CD85, CD95, CD98, CD102, CD103, CD106, CD109, CD146, CD147, CD148, CD151, CD152, CD158a, CD158b, CD164, CD165, CD166) and for monoclonal antibodies 1B10, 5G7, A4, BD46, BLTZ, HP1C5, IND.64, M72, WU947 whose specifities are not yet defined. Some of the mAbs such as CD49f, IND.64 and BD46 are detected as good markers for specific cell types or compartments. Significance of the presence of these antigens on thymic epithelial cells at certain locations is briefly discussed.