Summary
The presence of immunoreactive pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides (adrenocorticotropin hormone, β-endorphin, α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone) and of cytokine-like molecules [interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor-α] was demonstrated in periodic acid-Schiff-positive epithelial cells in the thymus of the goldfish (Carassius c. auratus) using immunocytochemical procedures. POMC-derived peptide- and cytokine-like molecules were localized in the same cell type. Lymphocytes were negative for all the above mentioned molecules. Despite the smaller number of cells positive for neuropeptide- and cytokine-like molecules, our findings suggest that immune-neuroendocrine interactions are likely to occur in the thymus of goldfish.
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Ottaviani, E., Franchini, A. & Franceschi, C. Evidence for the presence of immunoreactive POMC-derived peptides and cytokines in the thymus of the goldfish (Carassius c. auratus). Histochem J 27, 597–601 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00173096
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00173096