Biomaterial Database

Plasma cells of the chicken Harderian gland. 1993

T R Scott, and M L Savage, and I Olah

Department of Poultry Science, Clemson University, South Carolina 29634-0379.

The chicken Harderian gland (HG) is densely populated in its subepithelial spaces with plasma cells (PC). These immune cells produce and secrete Ig of the IgA, IgG, and IgM classes. Such Ig secretion into the tears affords the upper respiratory tract with protective antibodies. The immunological role of the HG is quite interesting; yet this gland is a site of unusual PC proliferation. Studies of the gland utilizing bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) incorporation into DNA and propidium iodide (PI) staining of PC DNA have verified previous suggestions in the literature that PC of the chicken HG proliferate. Both isolated PC suspensions and frozen sections of the HG from chicks aged 6 to 9 wk reveal that BrdUrd is incorporated into PC DNA. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis of PI-stained PC indicates a relatively high percentage of PC in S phase of the cell cycle. Continued studies are examining possible mechanisms controlling proliferation and differentiation of PC in the HG. It is believed that the stromal elements of the HG produce and secrete a factor(s) that influences PC proliferation and differentiation. Isolation and characterization of this influencing factor(s) will allow for the possible systemic application of the factor(s) for enhancement of immune responses.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010950	Plasma Cells	Specialized forms of antibody-producing B-LYMPHOCYTES. They synthesize and secrete immunoglobulin. They are found only in lymphoid organs and at sites of immune responses and normally do not circulate in the blood or lymph. (Rosen et al., Dictionary of Immunology, 1989, p169 & Abbas et al., Cellular and Molecular Immunology, 2d ed, p20)	Plasmacytes,Cell, Plasma,Cells, Plasma,Plasma Cell,Plasmacyte
D002455	Cell Division	The fission of a CELL. It includes CYTOKINESIS, when the CYTOPLASM of a cell is divided, and CELL NUCLEUS DIVISION.	M Phase,Cell Division Phase,Cell Divisions,Division Phase, Cell,Division, Cell,Divisions, Cell,M Phases,Phase, Cell Division,Phase, M,Phases, M
D002645	Chickens	Common name for the species Gallus gallus, the domestic fowl, in the family Phasianidae, order GALLIFORMES. It is descended from the red jungle fowl of SOUTHEAST ASIA.	Gallus gallus,Gallus domesticus,Gallus gallus domesticus,Chicken
D004640	Emetine	The principal alkaloid of ipecac, from the ground roots of Uragoga (or Cephaelis) ipecacuanha or U. acuminata, of the Rubiaceae. It is used as an amebicide in many different preparations and may cause serious cardiac, hepatic, or renal damage and violent diarrhea and vomiting. Emetine inhibits protein synthesis in EUKARYOTIC CELLS but not PROKARYOTIC CELLS.	Ipecine,Methylcephaeline,Emetine Dihydrochloride,Emetine Hydrochloride,Dihydrochloride, Emetine,Hydrochloride, Emetine
D006243	Harderian Gland	A sebaceous gland that, in some animals, acts as an accessory to the lacrimal gland. The harderian gland excretes fluid that facilitates movement of the third eyelid.	Gland, Harderian
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia