O pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus, é um teleósteo da Família Characidae, intensivamente cultivado no Brasil por causa de sua rusticidade, crescimento rápido e fácil adaptação, além de seu excelente sabor. Para uma melhor produção de peixes, informações sobre seu sistema imunológico incluindo a histologia dos órgãos linfóides se faz necessária. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi descrever histomorfologicamente os órgãos linfóides: rim cefálico, fígado, baço e timo do Piaractus mesopotamicus, analisando os perfis celulares de cada órgão. Foram utilizados 30 animais juvenis, com idade que variaram entre 5 meses a um ano, com peso médio de 588.1 g e comprimento total médio de 27,51 cm. Os órgãos foram pós-fixados em solução de paraformaldeído 4% e Karnovsky, depois desidratados, diafanizados em xilol e incluídos em parafina. Os cortes foram obtidos com uma espessura de 4µm e corados em hematoxilina-eosina. Os esfregaços sanguíneos foram corados em Giemsa-May Grünwald para microscopia de luz. Para microscopia eletrônica de transmissão as amostras fixadas em Karnovsky foram lavadas em sacarose e pósfixadas em tetróxido de ósmio 1%, desidratadas e emblocadas em resina Spurr. O resultado da análise macroscópica mostra que a distribuição do rim, rim cefálico, timo, fígado e baço são as mesmas encontradas na maioria dos teleósteos. Quanto à forma desses órgãos, o fígado apresentou uma variação anatômica na forma e números de lobos, sendo constituído por três lobos. O rim apresentou uma forma em \"H\", onde a região central deste se expandia sobre a bexiga natatória. O rim cefálico, em animais com idade mais avançada, se apresentou como uma dilatação na região cranial do rim, se mostrando bem visível. O timo e o baço apresentaram localização e forma similares aos de outros teleósteos. A microscopia mostrou similaridades entre os órgãos do Piaractus mesopotamicus e outros teleósteos. Na microscopia eletrônica de transmissão foram observadas similaridades ultraestruturais das células encontradas no rim cefálico, fígado, timo e baço e as já descritas em peixes teleósteos. Hemácias, trombócitos, linfócitos, eosinófilos e células granulocíticas especiais encontrados no sangue periférico, tanto de animais jovens quanto dos animais com idade mais avançada, foram os mesmos tipos celulares descritos na literatura de teleósteos. Observando nossos resultados concluímos que histologicamente os órgão linfóides de Piaractus mesopotamicus são similares aos de outros teleósteos e comparando os resultados de microscopia de transmissão concluímos que as estruturas encontradas nas nossas análises são as mesmas das descritas em outras espécies. Os resultados das nossas observações macroscópicas mostraram que o pacu é uma espécie que apresenta algumas características morfológicas singulares e que podem estar ligadas ao tipo de alimentação e a adaptações evolutivas. Esses achados demonstram que a anatomia dos órgãos de peixes e suas variações precisam ser analisados e correlacionados com suas funções e forma de vida de cada espécie. / Piaractus mesopotamicus (Pacu) is a fish from the Characidae Family, it is intensively culture in Brazil because of its rusticity, easy raising and adaptation, besides its excellent flavour. In order to produce a healthy fish, information on its immunological system, including the histology of the lymphoid organs is needed. Therefore, the objective of this study is to describe histomorphologicaly the lymphoid organs: head kidney, liver, spleen and thymus of the Piaractus mesopotamicus, analyzing the cellular profiles of each organ. Thirty young animals, with age varying between 5 months to a year, with average weight and total length of 588.1 g and a 27.51 cm, respectively, were used. The organs were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde solution, and Karnovsky, afterwards dehydrated, diafanized in xilol and included in paraffin. Four µm sections were obtained and stained with hematoxilin-eosin. Blood smears were stained with Giemsa-May Grünwald for light microscopy. Samples for transmission electric microscopy were fixed in Karnovsky, washed in sacarose and post-fixed with osmium tetroxide 1%, dehydrated and embedded in resin Spurr. The macroscopic analysis show that the localization of the kidney, head kidney, thymus, liver and spleen are very similar to most of the teleosts. Some particularities were observed in the liver, which presented an anatomical variation in the shape and number of lobes, being constituted by three lobes. The kidney presented existe \"H\" shape, where the central region overlaps the swimming bladder. The head-kidney, in adult animals, presented an evident dilation in the cranial region of the kidney. The thymus and spleen presented a similar location and shape to that of the teleosts. The light microscopy studies showed similarities between the organs of the Piaractus mesopotamicus and other teleost fishes. The transmission electron microscopy studies showed ultrastructural similarities, of the cells from the head kidney, liver, thymus and spleen with the literature. Eritrocytes, trombocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils and special granulocytic cells were found in peripheral blood of both juvenile and adult animals and were similar to the cellular profiles described in the literature to the other teleost fishes. Our studies were successful in describing the macro, micro and ultrastructure of Piaractus mesopotamicus organs and may be used as reference for further research aiming the improvement of fish health status in aquaculture.

O pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus, é um teleósteo da Família Characidae, intensivamente cultivado no Brasil por causa de sua rusticidade, crescimento rápido e fácil adaptação, além de seu excelente sabor. Para uma melhor produção de peixes, informações sobre seu sistema imunológico incluindo a histologia dos órgãos linfóides se faz necessária. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi descrever histomorfologicamente os órgãos linfóides: rim cefálico, fígado, baço e timo do Piaractus mesopotamicus, analisando os perfis celulares de cada órgão. Foram utilizados 30 animais juvenis, com idade que variaram entre 5 meses a um ano, com peso médio de 588.1 g e comprimento total médio de 27,51 cm. Os órgãos foram pós-fixados em solução de paraformaldeído 4% e Karnovsky, depois desidratados, diafanizados em xilol e incluídos em parafina. Os cortes foram obtidos com uma espessura de 4µm e corados em hematoxilina-eosina. Os esfregaços sanguíneos foram corados em Giemsa-May Grünwald para microscopia de luz. Para microscopia eletrônica de transmissão as amostras fixadas em Karnovsky foram lavadas em sacarose e pósfixadas em tetróxido de ósmio 1%, desidratadas e emblocadas em resina Spurr. O resultado da análise macroscópica mostra que a distribuição do rim, rim cefálico, timo, fígado e baço são as mesmas encontradas na maioria dos teleósteos. Quanto à forma desses órgãos, o fígado apresentou uma variação anatômica na forma e números de lobos, sendo constituído por três lobos. O rim apresentou uma forma em \"H\", onde a região central deste se expandia sobre a bexiga natatória. O rim cefálico, em animais com idade mais avançada, se apresentou como uma dilatação na região cranial do rim, se mostrando bem visível. O timo e o baço apresentaram localização e forma similares aos de outros teleósteos. A microscopia mostrou similaridades entre os órgãos do Piaractus mesopotamicus e outros teleósteos. Na microscopia eletrônica de transmissão foram observadas similaridades ultraestruturais das células encontradas no rim cefálico, fígado, timo e baço e as já descritas em peixes teleósteos. Hemácias, trombócitos, linfócitos, eosinófilos e células granulocíticas especiais encontrados no sangue periférico, tanto de animais jovens quanto dos animais com idade mais avançada, foram os mesmos tipos celulares descritos na literatura de teleósteos. Observando nossos resultados concluímos que histologicamente os órgão linfóides de Piaractus mesopotamicus são similares aos de outros teleósteos e comparando os resultados de microscopia de transmissão concluímos que as estruturas encontradas nas nossas análises são as mesmas das descritas em outras espécies. Os resultados das nossas observações macroscópicas mostraram que o pacu é uma espécie que apresenta algumas características morfológicas singulares e que podem estar ligadas ao tipo de alimentação e a adaptações evolutivas. Esses achados demonstram que a anatomia dos órgãos de peixes e suas variações precisam ser analisados e correlacionados com suas funções e forma de vida de cada espécie. / Piaractus mesopotamicus (Pacu) is a fish from the Characidae Family, it is intensively culture in Brazil because of its rusticity, easy raising and adaptation, besides its excellent flavour. In order to produce a healthy fish, information on its immunological system, including the histology of the lymphoid organs is needed. Therefore, the objective of this study is to describe histomorphologicaly the lymphoid organs: head kidney, liver, spleen and thymus of the Piaractus mesopotamicus, analyzing the cellular profiles of each organ. Thirty young animals, with age varying between 5 months to a year, with average weight and total length of 588.1 g and a 27.51 cm, respectively, were used. The organs were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde solution, and Karnovsky, afterwards dehydrated, diafanized in xilol and included in paraffin. Four µm sections were obtained and stained with hematoxilin-eosin. Blood smears were stained with Giemsa-May Grünwald for light microscopy. Samples for transmission electric microscopy were fixed in Karnovsky, washed in sacarose and post-fixed with osmium tetroxide 1%, dehydrated and embedded in resin Spurr. The macroscopic analysis show that the localization of the kidney, head kidney, thymus, liver and spleen are very similar to most of the teleosts. Some particularities were observed in the liver, which presented an anatomical variation in the shape and number of lobes, being constituted by three lobes. The kidney presented existe \"H\" shape, where the central region overlaps the swimming bladder. The head-kidney, in adult animals, presented an evident dilation in the cranial region of the kidney. The thymus and spleen presented a similar location and shape to that of the teleosts. The light microscopy studies showed similarities between the organs of the Piaractus mesopotamicus and other teleost fishes. The transmission electron microscopy studies showed ultrastructural similarities, of the cells from the head kidney, liver, thymus and spleen with the literature. Eritrocytes, trombocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils and special granulocytic cells were found in peripheral blood of both juvenile and adult animals and were similar to the cellular profiles described in the literature to the other teleost fishes. Our studies were successful in describing the macro, micro and ultrastructure of Piaractus mesopotamicus organs and may be used as reference for further research aiming the improvement of fish health status in aquaculture.

Dissertação(mestrado)- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Aqüicultura, Instituto de Oceanografia, 2012. / Submitted by Cristiane Silva (cristiane_gomides@hotmail.com) on 2012-08-29T19:19:57Z No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertao verso final-martaklosterhoff.pdf: 1924880 bytes, checksum: bc195444bdcc5176b1707b88f00b25c1 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Bruna Vieira(bruninha_vieira@ibest.com.br) on 2012-09-18T03:14:20Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertao verso final-martaklosterhoff.pdf: 1924880 bytes, checksum: bc195444bdcc5176b1707b88f00b25c1 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-09-18T03:14:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertao verso final-martaklosterhoff.pdf: 1924880 bytes, checksum: bc195444bdcc5176b1707b88f00b25c1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / O bijupirá Rachycentron canadum, apresenta várias características favoráveis para a aquicultura, como alta taxa de crescimento, bons coeficientes de eficiência alimentar e carne de excelente qualidade, entre outras. No presente estudo foi realizada uma análise do sistema imune do bijupirá através de técnicas de histologia e imunohistoquímica. A ontogenia dos órgãos imunocompetentes (rim anterior, timo e baço) em larvas e juvenis de bijupirá, desde a eclosão até 53 dias após a eclosão (dae), foi realizada através da análise histológica. O rim foi o primeiro órgão linfohematopoiético a aparecer, presente no 1º dia após eclosão (dae) (3,8 ± 0,04mm), o surgimento do baço foi no 5º dae (4,8 ± 0,2mm) e no 7º dae (5,4 ± 0,2 mm) o timo; conforme análise os órgãos linfóides tornaram-se evidente com o avanço da idade do peixe. Foi possível também estabelecer a presença de receptores específicos de linfócitos através da imunomarcação com anticorpo monoclonal anti-CD3 e anti-CD4. Foi encontrado no timo os primeiros receptores linfocitários CD3 ao 7º dae com 27% mm² e 99% mm² de tecido tímico aos 53 dae (154 ± 4,6mm). A expressão fenotípica dos receptores CD3 no rim foi destacada no 8º dae (6,5 ± 0,1mm) com uma expressão de 10% mm² e 32% mm² de tecido renal aos 53 dae. A imunomarcação dos receptores linfocitários CD4 foi destacada inicialmente no timo com 7 dae, com 5% mm² e aos 53 dae com 63% mm² de linfócitos imunomarcados com anti-CD4. No Rim, a população de linfócitos T4 foi registrada primeiramente aos 13º dae (12,4 ± 0,7 mm) com 9% mm² e aos 53 dae com 28% mm² da população linfocitária CD4 do tecido renal, definindo o desenvolvimento funcional do sistema específico, associada a capacidade da memória imunológica. Também foi possível estabelecer que ocorre uma repovoação de linfócitos T no rim anterior, os linfócitos que migram do rim anterior para o timo e adquirem receptores específicos de células T, retornando ao rim anterior e mantendo suas atividades imunes. O estudo dos mecanismos do sistema imune são importantes para o sucesso de um cultivo, pois as doenças são uma das principais causas de perdas econômicas na aquicultura em todo mundo. / The cobia Rachycentron canadum has several desirable traits for aquaculture, most importantly a rapid growth rate, good feed conversion ratio and good flesh quality. In the present study, the immune system of cobia was evaluated through histology and immunohistochemistry. Ontogeny of immunocompetent organs (head kidney, thymus and spleen) in cobia larvae and juveniles from hatching to 53 days after hatching (dah) was histologically described. The first lymphohematopoietic organ to appear was the kidney, at 1 dah (3.8 ± 0.04 mm), followed by the spleen at 5 dah (4.8 ± 0.2 mm) and the thymus at 7 dah (5.4 ± 0.2 mm); the lymphoid organs became evident as the fish grew older. It was also possible to establish the presence of specific lymphocyte receptors through immunolabeling with the monoclonal antibodies anti-CD3 and anti-CD4. The first evidence of CD3 lymphocyte receptors was found at 7 dah with 27% mm² of thymic tissue and at 8 dah (6.5 ± 0.1 mm) in the kidney, expressed in 10% of the kidney tissue. Initially, 5% mm2 of lymphocytes with CD4 lymphocyte receptors were initially immunolabeled in the thymus. In the kidney, T4 lymphocyte population was registered to be present at 13 dah (12.4 ± 0.7 mm) with 9% mm², defining the functional development of the specific system, associated to immunological memory capacity It was also possible to establish a repopulation of T lymphocytes in the head kidney; lymphocytes migrate from the head kidney to the thymus and acquire specific T-cell receptors, returning to the head kidney and maintaining their immune activities. The knowledge about the immune system mechanisms is important for farming activities, as diseases are the major causes of economic losses in global aquaculture.

No description available.

The mouse pancreas is a mixed exocrine and endocrine glandconsisting of three lobular compartments: the splenic, duodenal and gastric lobes. During embryogenesis, the pancreas forms from two progenitor populations located on the dorsal and ventral side of the primitive gut tube. These anlagen are brought in close proximity as the gut elongates and rotates, and fuse to form a single organ. The splenic and duodenal lobes develop from the dorsal and ventral anlagen, respectively. In the adult pancreas, exocrine tissue secretes digestive enzymes intothe gut lumen to support nutrient uptake. The endocrine Islets of Langerhans are scattered throughout the exocrine tissue and aid in regulation of energy homeostasis through the secretion of hormones. One of the key players in energy homeostasis is the pancreatic ß-cell, which is the most abundant cell type of the islets. The β-cells regulates blood glucose levels through the action of insulin. Conditions where this regulation does not function properly are gathered under the common name of Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is characterized by insulin deficiency due to autoimmune destruction of the ß-cells. Using recently developed protocols for optical projection tomography (OPT) whole-organ imaging, we have revealed new spatial and quantitative aspects on ß-cell mass dynamics and immune infiltration during the course of T1D development in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model. We show that although immune infiltration appears to occur asynchronously throughout the organ, smaller islets, mainly located in the periphery of the organ, preferentially loose their ß-cells during early stages of disease progression. Larger islets appear more resistant to the autoimmune attack and our data indicate the existence of a compensatory proliferative capacity within these islets. We also report the appearance of structures resembling tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs) in association with the remaining islets during later phases of T1D progression. OPT has already proven to be a useful tool for assessments of ß-cellmass in the adult mouse pancreas. However, as with other techniques, previous protocols have relied on a tedious degree of manual postivacquisition editing. To further refine OPT-based assessment of pancreatic ß-cell mass distribution in the murine pancreas, we implemented a computational statistical approach, Contrast-Limited Adaptive Histogram Normalisation (CLAHE), to the OPT projection data of pancreata from C57Bl/6 mice. This methodology provided increased islet detection sensitivity, improved islet morphology and diminished subjectivity in thresholding for reconstruction and quantification. Using this approach, we could report a substantially higher number of islets than previously described for this strain and provide evidence of significant differences in islet mass distribution between the pancreatic lobes. The gastric lobe stood out in particular and contained a 75% higher islet density as compared to the splenic lobe. Although the development of the early pancreatic buds has been relatively well studied, later morphogenetic events are less clear and information regarding the formation of the gastric lobe has largely been missing. Using OPT we have generated a quantitative three-dimensional road map of pancreatic morphogenesis in the mouse. We show that the gastric lobe forms as a perpendicular outgrowth fromthe stem of the dorsal pancreas at around embryonic day (e) 13.5, which grows into a mesenchymal domain overlaying the pyloric sphincter and proximal part of the glandular stomach. By analyzing mutant mice with aberrant spleen development, we further demonstrate that proper formation of the gastric lobe is dependent on the initial formation of the closely positioned spleen, indicating a close interplay between pancreatic and splenic mesenchyme during development. Additionally, we show that the expression profile of markers for pancreatic multipotent progenitors within the pancreas is heterogenous with regards to lobular origin. Altogether, our studies regarding the morphogenesis and adult constitution of the mouse pancreas recognize lobular heterogeneities that add important information for future interpretations of this organ.

Une résidence à long terme de lymphocytes T (LTs) au sein de la plupart des tissus non lymphoïdes a été récemment décrite, notamment à la suite d’infections. Ces cellules confèreraient à l’hôte une meilleure protection en cas de réinfection. À l'aide de deux approches expérimentales différentes, l'injection d'anticorps bloquant l’entrée des LTs dans les ganglions lymphatiques (LNs) et la génération de parabioses par chirurgie, nous avons pu mettre en évidence, à l’état basal, la résidence d’une proportion significative des LTs αβ mémoires CD4+, des LTs αβ régulateurs CD4+ et d’une sous-population des LTs γδ dans les organes lymphoïdes secondaires. Les LTs CD4+ régulateurs et mémoires résidents ont en commun de nombreuses caractéristiques phénotypiques et fonctionnelles, et partagent avec leurs homologues issus de tissus non lymphoïdes une signature transcriptionnelle commune de résidence. Les LTs γδ résidents, quant à eux, arborent des caractéristiques phénotypiques et fonctionnelles proches de celles des cellules du système immunitaire inné. Si le microbiote semble jouer un rôle important dans la résidence des LTs αβ CD4+ des plaques de Peyer (PPs), son rôle ne semble pas être prépondérant dans la résidence de ces cellules au sein des LNs. Comme dans de nombreux tissus non lymphoïdes, la sous-expression de S1PR1 pourrait en partie expliquer la résidence des LTs αβ CD4+. Par contre, les LTs γδ seraient, eux, retenus dans les tissus lymphoïdes de par des interactions étroites avec les macrophages. Enfin, la résidence des LTs αβ augmente avec l'âge au point que la majorité des LTs CD4+ régulateurs et mémoires des LNs et des PPs sont en fait résidents chez des souris âgées. Nos résultats montrent que la résidence des cellules T n'est pas seulement une caractéristique des tissus non lymphoïdes mais qu’elle peut être étendue aux organes lymphoïdes secondaires. Le rôle respectif de ces différentes populations de LTs devra être exploré. / In the last decade, numerous data have demonstrated the existence of T cells residing in non-lymphoid tissues, mostly after infectious diseases. These resident memory T cells may represent a first line of defense against pathogens at front-line sites of microbial exposure upon reinfection. Using two different experimental approaches such as the injection of integrin-neutralizing antibodies that inhibits the entry of circulating lymphocytes into lymph nodes and long-term parabiosis experiments, we have highlighted the long-term residence of a substantial proportion of regulatory and memory CD4 αβ T cells and γδ T cells within the secondary lymphoid organs of specific pathogen free mice. Resident γδ T cells display innate-like characteristics. Lymph node-resident regulatory and memory CD4 αβ T cells share many phenotypic and functional characteristics, including a core transcriptional profile, with their cell-counterparts from non-lymphoid tissues. Microbiota plays an important role in αβ T-cell residence in Peyer’s patches but only a small one if any in lymph nodes. Like in many non-lymphoid tissues, S1PR1 down-regulation may account forαβ T-cell residency within secondary lymphoid organs although other mechanisms may account for this especially in the case of lymph node memory CD4 T cells. Specific in vivo cell-depletion strategies have allowed us to demonstrate that macrophages are the main actors involved in the long-term retention of γδ T cells in secondary lymphoid organs. Strikingly, T-cell residence increases with age to the point that the majority of regulatory and memory CD4 αβ T cells from LNs and Peyer’s patches are in fact resident T cells in old mice. Altogether, our results show that T-cell residence is not only a hallmark of non-lymphoid tissues but can be extended to secondary lymphoid organs.

Die kontinuierliche Rezirkulation von Immunzellen durch periphere und sekundäre lymphatische Organe (SLOs) ist Bestandteil der Immunüberwachung und wichtig für die Aufrechterhaltung und Funktionsbereitschaft des Immunsystems. Der homöostatische Chemokinrezeptor CCR7 vermittelt dabei nicht nur die Rezirkulation von Lymphozyten durch SLOs, sondern scheint auch an der homöostatischen Rezirkulation von Lymphozyten durch nicht-lymphoide periphere Gewebe beteiligt zu sein. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde mithilfe von CCR7-defizienten Mäusen die funktionale Bedeutung von CCR7 für die homöostatische Rezirkulation von Lymphozyten durch das Peritoneum untersucht und nachgewiesen, dass CCR7 der dominante Chemokinrezeptor ist, der unter physiologischen Bedingungen die Transitzeit von Lymphozyten durch das Peritoneum festlegt. Die gestörte Rezirkulation von Lymphozyten begünstigte außerdem die Entstehung von tertiären lymphoiden Organen (TLOs) in der Magenschleimhaut von CCR7-defizienten Mäusen. Untersuchungen zur zellulären und molekularen Grundlage dieser und weiterer pathomorphologischer Veränderungen in der Magenschleimhaut von CCR7-defizienten Mäusen verdeutlichten die Funktion von CCR7 für die Etablierung von zentraler und peripherer Toleranz gegenüber gastrischen Antigenen. Fehlt CCR7, dann entwickelten Mäuse eine spontane Autoimmungastritis, welche durch gastritogene CD4+ T-Zellen verursacht wurde, deren Aktivierung auch unabhängig von Lymphknoten und TLOs erfolgte. Die Entstehung von TLOs wird auch bei einer durch Helicobacter pylori ausgelösten chronischen Gastritis beobachtet. Die Expression des homöostatischen Chemokinrezeptors CXCR5 und seines Liganden CXCL13 ist mit der Entwicklung dieser TLOs korreliert worden. Unter Verwendung eines Mausmodells für H. pylori-induzierte chronische Gastritis konnte gezeigt werden, dass CXCR5 die Ausbildung von TLOs vermittelt und eine Rolle für die Induktion von H. pylori-spezifischen T-Zell- sowie humoralen Immunantworten spielt. / Homeostatic recirculation of immune cells through peripheral and secondary lympoid organs (SLOs) is required for immune surveillance and the maintenance and functionality of the immune system. The homeostatic chemokine receptor CCR7 controls not only lymphoid cell trafficking to and within SLOs, but also seems to be involved in the homeostatic recirculation of lymphocytes through non-lymphoid peripheral tissues. Within the scope of this work we investigated the functional relevance of CCR7 for the homeostatic recirculation of lymphocytes through the peritoneal cavity and could show, that CCR7 is the dominant chemokine receptor which defines the transit time of lymphocytes in the peritoneal cavity under physiological conditions. Impaired recirculation of lymphocytes also promoted the development of tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs) in the gastric mucosa of CCR7-deficient mice. Analysis of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these and other pathomorphological alterations in the gastric mucosa of CCR7-deficient mice provided further evidence regarding the function of CCR7 for the establishment of central and peripheral tolerance towards gastric antigens. Mice that lack CCR7 spontaneously developed autoimmune gastritis, which was caused by gastritogenic CD4+ T-cells. Such autoreactive T cell responses were also initiated in the absence of lymph nodes and TLOs in CCR7/LT-alpha double-deficient mice. Development of TLOs is also observed during chronic gastritis induced by Helicobacter pylori. The expression of the homeostatic chemokine receptor CXCR5 and its ligand CXCL13 has been correlated with the development of these TLOs. Using a mouse model for H. pylori-induced chronic gastritis, we could show that CXCR5 is responsible for the development of TLOs and also plays a role for the induction of H. pylori-specific T and B cell responses.

Die Expression homöostatischer Chemokinrezeptoren auf hämatopoetischen Neoplasien wird zunehmend mit tumorpathogenen Funktionen in Zusammenhang gebracht. In der Arbeit wurden Funktionen der Rezeptoren CXCR7 und CCR7 in der Pathogenese lymphatischer Erkrankungen anhand von Mausmodellen charakterisiert. Für CXCR7 konnte in der normalen Differenzierung von T-Zellen eine schwache Expression in murinen Thymozyten, dagegen eine verstärkte, vor allem intrazellulär lokalisierte Expression in peripheren aktivierten T-Zellen identifiziert werden. Eine aberrante Überexpression lag in humanen Zelllinien, aber auch in primären Fällen von T-ALL und klassischen Hodgkin-Lymphomen vor. Die Analyse eines retroviralen Überexpressionsmodells ergab für CXCR7 die Funktion als anti-apoptotischer Kostimulator während der thymischen beta-Selektion. Im Signaltransduktionskomplex mit CXCR4 und dem präTCR vermittelte CXCR7 einen effizienteren DN3-zu-DN4 Übergang. Unreife Thymozyten waren durch eine verstärkte Apoptoseresistenz und Expression von anti-apoptotischen Bcl2-Molekülen charakterisiert. Dies könnte CXCR7 überexprimierende Thymozyten putativ empfänglicher für die Entwicklung von T-ALLs machen. Für CCR7 konnten in der Arbeit bedeutende Funktionen in der organspezifischen Dissemination von B-Zelllymphomen identifiziert werden. Unter Verwendung des Eµ-Myc-Mausmodells wurde gezeigt, dass Eµ-Myc Lymphomzellen CCR7-abhängig in die T-Zellzone von Milz und Lymphknoten einwandern und dort durch reziproke Interaktionen mit gp38+ FRCs und DCs entscheidende Überlebenfaktoren, darunter Ihh, Igf-1 und VCAM-1, erhalten. Die Lymphomzellen vermittelten darüber hinaus eine aktive Veränderung der Stromazellzusammensetzung, welche durch ein expandiertes FRC-Netzwerk, durch die Induktion putativ immunsupprimierender DCs und durch ein inflammatorisches Milieu charakterisiert war. Eine Inhibition der Lymphom-Stroma-Interaktionen könnte daher eine neue Strategie der Lymphomtherapie darstellen. / In recent years the expression of homeostatic chemokine receptors on hematological tumors was increasingly associated with tumor pathogenic functions. Within this thesis, functions of the chemokine receptors CXCR7 und CCR7 in the pathogenesis of lymphoid diseases were characterized using different mouse models. For CXCR7, low expression levels were detected in murine thymocytes during normal T cell development. Enhanced expression was found mainly intracellularly in peripheral activated T cells. An aberrant overexpression was identified in human cell lines and primary cases of T-ALL and classical Hodgkin lymphoma. The analysis of a retroviral overexpression model suggested a function of CXCR7 as an anti-apoptotic costimulator during thymic beta-selection. In a functional complex with CXCR4 and the preTCR CXCR7 mediated a more efficient DN3-to-DN4 transition. CXCR7 expressing thymocytes were characterized by enhanced apoptosis resistance and expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl2-family genes. Thus, CXCR7 could putatively make immature thymocytes more susceptible to develop T-ALL. In addition, new insights into the function of CCR7 in the context B cell lymphoma dissemination were gained within this thesis. Applying the Eµ-Myc mouse model, CCR7 was shown to mediate the specific homing of Eµ-Myc lymphoma cells into the T cell zone of spleen and lymph nodes. Here, lymphoma cells received pivotal survival signals following reciprocal interactions with gp38+ FRCs and DCs, amongst them Ihh, Igf-1 and VCAM-1. Moreover, the lymphoma cells induced a survival promoting active remodelling of the T cell zone stroma, which was characterized by the expansion of the FRC network, by the induction of putatively immune suppressive DCs and by the induction of a pro-inflammatory milieu. Therefore, an inhibition of lymphoma-stroma interactions could provide a new strategy in lymphoma therapy.