Expression of the Membrane Complement Regulatory Proteins (CD55 and CD59) in Human Thymus

CD59 is one of the key molecules involved in cell protection against autologous complement. The fact that complement regulatory proteins are able to prevent hyperacute rejection of organs in pig to primate model raises the question of possible complement regulatory proteins (CRP) involvement in the maturation of immunological system. We report here that in foetal and postnatal human thymus, CD59 and CD55 are primarily located in Hassal's corpuscles and medullary epithelial cells. This localization highly correlates with the expression of CD30L, which is the member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily. Additionally TUNEL technique was used to visualize distribution of apoptotic cell in the thymus, which revealed the presence e of apoptotic cells closely associated with the Hassal’s corpuscles. The observed co-localization of CD59, CD55 and CD30L might suggest an involvement of the complement system in thymic selection in humans.

SLADOWSKI Dariusz;  WASIUTYNSKI Aleksander;  WILCZYNSKI Grzegorz;  GRABSKA-LIBEREK Iwona;  COECKE Sandra;  KINSNER Agnieszka;  KOCHANOWSKA Iwona; 

2007-01-30

POLISH HISTOCHEMICAL CYTOCHEMICAL SOC

JRC36007

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC36007,