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Phenotypic differences between red pulp capillary and sinusoidal endothelia help localizing the open splenic circulation in humans

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Abstract

The distribution of capillaries, sinuses and larger vessels was investigated by immunohistology in paraffin sections of 12 adult human spleens using a panel of antibodies. Double staining for CD34 and CD141 (thrombomodulin) revealed that capillary endothelia in the cords of the splenic red pulp and at the surface of follicles were CD34+CD141−, while red pulp sinus endothelia had the phenotype CD34−CD141+. Only in the direct vicinity of splenic follicles did sinus endothelial cells exhibit both antigens. Thus, splenic sinuses do not replace conventional capillaries, but exist in addition to such vessels. The endothelium in arterioles, venules and larger arteries and veins was uniformly CD34+CD141+. Anti-CD34 and anti-CD141 both additionally reacted with different types of splenic stromal cells. Differential staining of capillaries and sinuses may permit a three-dimensional reconstruction of serial sections to unequivocally delineate the “open” and “closed” splenic circulation in humans.

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Abbreviations

ABC:

avidin-biotinylated peroxidase complex

AP:

alkaline phosphatase

DAB:

diaminobenzidine

SMA:

smooth muscle alpha-actin

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grant Ste 360/10-1 of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. We thank Anja Seiler and Katrin Lampp for technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Marburg, Robert-Koch-Str. 8, 35032, Marburg, Germany

    Birte Steiniger

  2. Dental School, Department of Operative Dentistry, University of Marburg, Georg-Voigt-Str. 3, 35039, Marburg, Germany

    Vitus Stachniss

  3. Faculty of Computer Science, University of Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str, 35032, Marburg, Germany

    Hans Schwarzbach

  4. Institute of Pathology, University of Marburg, Baldingerstr, 35033, Marburg, Germany

    Peter J. Barth

Authors
  1. Birte Steiniger
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  2. Vitus Stachniss
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  3. Hans Schwarzbach
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  4. Peter J. Barth
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Correspondence to Birte Steiniger.

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Steiniger, B., Stachniss, V., Schwarzbach, H. et al. Phenotypic differences between red pulp capillary and sinusoidal endothelia help localizing the open splenic circulation in humans. Histochem Cell Biol 128, 391–398 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-007-0320-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-007-0320-8

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