Abstract
The expression of MHC class I and class II antigens by the human foetal pancreas (HFP) during the first trimester is poorly documented. Using immunohistochemical techniques, we analysed 37 HFPs aged 8–13 gestatitional weeks (gw) and compared the results with those of 9 HFPs aged 14–16 gw. In all of the specimens, the ductal cells were class I- and class II-negative. Islets and endothelial cells expressed class I but were class II-. Interstitial class II+ cells included macrophages, B lymphocytes and dendritic-like cells that were negative for macrophage markers. While the frequency of class II+ cells in the HFP remained constant from 8 to 13 gw, a threefold increase was observed from the end of the 13th gw to the 16th gw. In conclusion, the lower density of interstitial class II+ cells in HFPs aged 8–13 gw indicates that immunomodulation is likely to be more successful in this age group.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ashwell JD (1988) Are B lymphocytes the principal antigenpresenting cells in vivo? J Immunol 140:3697–3700
Austyn JM (1987) Lymphoid dendritic cells. Immunology 62: 161–170
Bourne JA (1983) Handbook of immunoperoxidase staining methods. Dako Corporation, Santa Barbara, USA
Brown J, Molnar IG, Clark W, Mullen Y (1974) Control of experimental diabetes mellitus in rats by transplantation of fetal pancreases. Science 184:1377–1379
Brown J, Clark WR, Molnar IG, Mullen YS (1976) Fetal pancreas transplantation for reversal of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. Diabetes 25:56–64
Caillaud J-M, Benjelloun S, Bosq J, Braham K, Lipinski M (1984) HNK-1-defined antigen detected in paraffin-embedded neuroectoderm tumours and those derived from cells of the amine precursor uptake and decarboxylase system. Cancer Res 44:4432–4439
Cochrum HC, Jemtrud S, Lim RC, Hunt TK Parry G (1989) MHC antigens persist in the human fetal pancreatic islet cells even after culture and transplantation into nude mice. Transplant Proc 21:2653–2656
Cordell JL, Falini B, Erber WN, Ghosh AK, Abdulaziz Z, MacDonald S, Pulford KAF, Stein H, Mason DY (1984) Immunoenzymatic labeling of monoclonal antibodies using immune complexes of alkaline phosphatase and monoclonal anti-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP complexes). J Histochem Cytochem 32: 219–229
Danilovs JA, Hofman FM, Taylor CR, Brown J (1982) Expression of HLA-DR antigens in human fetal pancreas tissue. Diabetes 31 [Suppl 4]:23–28
Faustman D, Steinman RM, Gebel H, Hauptfeld V, Davie J, Lacy P (1984) Prevention of rejection of murine islets allografts by pretreatment with anti-dendritic cell antibody. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 81:3864–3868
Janossy G, Bofill M, Poulter LW, Rawlings E, Burford GD, Navarette C, Ziegler A, Kelemen E (1986) Separate ontogeny of two macrophage-like accessory cell populations in the human fetus. J Immunol 136:4354–4361
Knapp W, Rieber P, Dorken B, Schmidt RE, Stein H, Borne AEG Krvd (1989) Towards a better definition of human leucocyte surface molecules. Immunol Today 10:253–258
Lafferty KJ, Prowse SJ (1984) Theory and practice of immunoregulation by tissue treatment prior to transplantation. World J Surg 8:187–197
Lafferty KJ, Hao L, Babcock SK, Spees E (1989) Is there a future for fetal pancreas transplantation? Transplant Proc 21:2611–2613
Like AA, Orci L (1972) Embryogenesis of the human pancreatic islets: a light and electron microscopic study. Diabetes 21 [Suppl 2]:511–534
Mandel TE, Collier S, Hoffman L, Pyke K, Carter WM, Koulmanda M (1982) Isotransplantation of fetal mouse pancreas in experimental diabetes. Effects of gestational age and organ culture. Lab Invest 47:477–483
Motojima K, Matsuo S, Mullen Y (1989) DR antigen expression on vascular endothelium and duct epithelium in fresh or cultured human fetal pancreata in the presence of gamma-interferon. Transplantation 48:1022–1026
Mullen YS, Clark WR, Molnar IG, Brown J (1977) Complete reversal of experimental diabetes mellitus in rats by a single fetal pancreas. Science 195:68–70
Munsick RA (1984) Human fetal extremity lengths in the interval from 9 to 21 menstrual weeks of pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 149:883–887
Natali PG, Russo C, Ng AK, Nicotra MR, Apollonj C, Pellegrino MA, Ferrone S (1982) Ontogeny of human Ia antigens. Cell Immunol 73:385–396
O'Rahilly R (1983) The timing and sequence of events in the development of human cell systems during the embryonic period proper. Anat Embryol (Berl) 166:439–451
Peterson M, Miller J (1990) Invariant chain influences the immunological recognition of MHC class II molecules. Nature 345: 172–174
Rabinovitch A, Alejandro R, Noel J, Brunschwig J-P, Ryan US (1982) Tissue culture reduces Ia antigen-bearing cells in rat islets and prolongs islet allograft survival. Diabetes 31 [Suppl 4]: 48–54
Thomson NM, Hancock WM, Lafferty KJ, Kraft N, Atkins RC (1983) Organ culture reduces Ia-positive cells present within the human fetal pancreas. Transplant Proc 15:1373–1376
Thorsby E (1987) Structure and function of HLA molecules. Transplant Proc 19:29–35
Tuch BE, Sheil AGR, Ng ABP, Trent BJ, Turtle JR (1988) Recovery of human fetal pancreas after one year of implantation in the diabetic patient. Transplantation 46:865–870
Unanue ER, Allen PM (1986) comment on the finding of Ia expression in nonlymphoid cells. Lab Invest 55:123–125
Unanue ER, Allen PM (1987) The basis for the immunoregulatory role of macrophages and other accessory cells. Science 236: 551–557
Usadel KH, Schwedes G, Bastert G, Steinau U, Klempa I, Fassbinder W, Schoffling K (1980) Transplantation of human fetal pancreas. Experience in thymus aplastic mice and rats and in a diabetic patient. Diabetes 29 [Suppl 1]:74–79
Von Dorsche HH, Reiher H, Hahn H-J, Falt K, Falkmer S (1987) Tissue cultivation as a method for preservation of human fetal islet parenchyma — a correlated biochemical, immunohistochemical and morphometric investigation. Diabetes Res 5: 157–161
Von Dorsche HH, Falt K, Titlbach M, Reiher H, Hahn H-J, Falkmer S (1989) Immunohistochemical, morphometric and ultrastructural investigations of the early development of insulin, somatostatin, glucagon and PP cells in foetal human pancreas. Diabetes Res 12:51–56
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
About this article
Cite this article
Koo Seen Lin, L.C., Welsh, K.I., Koffman, C.G. et al. The immunology of the human foetal pancreas aged 8–13 gestational weeks. Transplant Int 4, 195–199 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00649102
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00649102