Summary
LYMPHOGLANDULAR complexes (LGC) of the normal human colon have not been studied in detail hitherto and little is known of their structure, distribution or function. This study was undertaken to document synthetic properties of the epithelium of the LGC, the site and subset composition of their lymphocyte population and regional variations in these parameters that might exist within the normal large bowel. In the twenty-seven, macroscopically and microscopically normal colons examined, LGC epithelium produced the same types of mucin as colonic epithelium away from the lymphoid aggregates although the amounts of all mucin classes were considerably reduced. Secretory component production was the same in LGC epithelium as elsewhere. LGC in the ascending colon were larger and contained more lymphocytes (255±44 cells per high power field) than those in other anatomic regions (142±13; p<0.001). There was a greater ratio of B to T lymphocytes in LGC of the rectum (1.93±0.48) than in LGC of other regions (1.03±0.05; p<0.005). Rectal LGC also contained proportionately more T-suppressor cells than LGC elsewhere, the helper to suppressor ratio in these structures in the rectum being 2.25±0.31 against a mean ratio of 4.0±1.0 (p<0.0001) in LGC of other areas. The immunohistochemical findings in this study suggest that LGC contain precursors of the IgA producing plasma cells which ultimately populate the lamina propria of the intestinal mucosa. More lymphocytes were found in the lamina propria overlying the lymphoid aggregate of the LGC (38±5 cells per high power field) than in the lamina propria of the intervening mucosa (18±4; p<0.0001) although the subset ratios in both these areas was the same. In general, lymphocytes were no more frequent within the epithelium of the LGC (4±3 per 40 epithelial cells) than in other colonic epithelium, with the exception of certain rectal LGC, the epithelium of which contained raised numbers of lymphocytes (6±3; p<0.05).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Owen, R. L. and Nemanic, P. Antigen processing structures of the mammalian intestinal tract: an SEM study of lymphoepithelial organs. In: Scanning Electromicroscopy. Eds. Becker, R. P. and Johari, O., Chicago, Illinois, SEM Inc. 1978: pp. 367–378.
Owen, R. L. and Jones, A. L. Epithelial cell specialisation within human Peyer’s patches: an ultrastructural study of intestinal lymphoid follicles. Gastroenterol. 1974: 66, 189–203.
Rosner, D. J. and Keren, D. F. Demonstration of M-cells in the specialised epithelium overlying isolated lymphoid follicles in the gut. J. Leukocyte Biol. 1984: 35, 397–404.
Kealy, W. F. Lymphoid tissue and lymphoid-glandular complexes of the colon: relation to diverticulosis. J. Clin. Path. 1976: 29, 245–249.
Shamsuddin, A. M., Phelps, P. C. and Trump, B. F. Human large intestinal epithelium: light microscopy, histochemistry and Ultrastructure. Hum. Path. 1982: 9, 790–803.
Mowry, R. W. and Morard, J. C. The distribution of acid mucopolysaccharides in normal kidneys as shown by the alcian-bluefeulgen (AB-F) and alcian-blue-periodic acid schiff (AB-PAS) stains. Am. J. Path. 1957: 33, 620–621 (abstract).
Spicer, S. S. Diamine methods for differentiating mucosubstances histochemically. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 1965: 13, 211–234.
Culling, C. F. and Reid, P. E. PBT/KOH/PAS technique. In: Schaur, A., Ed., Cell Biology. 1980. monographs: vol. 10, 188, Sialic acids; chemistry, metabolism and function. Springer-Verlag.
Sternberger, L. A. Immunocytochemistry, 2nd ed. 1979. pp. 104–169. John Wiley & Sons, New York.
Mason, D. Y. Immunohistology of lymphoid tissue. In: Filipe, M. I. & Lake, B. D., Eds. Histochemistry in Pathology. 1983. pp. 215–232, Churchill Livingstone, London.
Spencer, J., Finn, T. and Isaacson, P. G. Gut associated lymphoid tissue: a morphological and immunocytochemical study of the human appendix. Gut 1985: 26, 672–679.
Murray, L J., Swerdlow, S. H. and Habeshawe, J. A. Distribution of B-lymphocyte subsets in normal lymphoid tissue. Clin. exp. Immunol. 1984: 56, 399–406.
Traill, M. A. The incidence of lymphoid foci in the large intestine. Med. J. Australia. 1967: Oct., 809–810.
O’Leary, A. D. and Sweeney, E. C. Lymphoglandular complexes of the colon: structure and distribution. Histopath. 1986: 10, 267–283.
Selby, W. S., Janossy, G., Bofill, M. and Jewell, D. P. Intestinal lymphocyte subpopulations in inflammatory bowel disease; an analysis by immunohistological and cell isolation techniques. Gut 1984: 25, 32–40.
Stashenko, P., Nadler, L. M., Hardy, R. and Schlossman, S. F. Expression of cell-surface markers after human B-lymphocyte activation. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 1981: 78, 3840.
Tseng, J. A population of resting IgM-lgD bearing lymphocytes in Peyer’s patches: the major precursor cells for IgA plasma cells in the gut lamina propria. J. Immunol. 1984: 132, 6,2730.
Parker, J. W. A new look at malignant lymphomas. Diagnostic Med., special issue, June, 1981: 78–113.
Clancy, R., Cripps, A. and Chipchase, H. Regulation of human gut B lymphocytes by T lymphocytes. Gut 1984: 25, 47–51.
Currie, G. A. and Bagshawe, K. D. The role of sialic acid in antigen expression: further studies on the Landshutz ascites tumour. Brit. J. Cancer 1968: 22, 843–853.
Lippman, S. S. A proposed role for mucopolysaccharides in the initiation and control of cell division. Trans. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1965: 27, 342–357.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
O’Leary, A.D., Sweeney, E.C. Lymphoglandular complexes of the normal colon: Histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. I.J.M.S. 156, 142–148 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02953232
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02953232