Enhanced Histopathology of Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue

doi:10.1080/01926230600939989

Toxicol Pathol. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2007 February 15.

Published in final edited form as:

Toxicol Pathol. 2006; 34(5): 687–696.

doi: 10.1080/01926230600939989

PMCID: PMC1797898

NIHMSID: NIHMS16229

Enhanced Histopathology of Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue

Susan A. Elmore

Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA

Address correspondence to: Susan A. Elmore, Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, NIEHS, NIH, III Alexander Dr., MD B3-06, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; e-mail: Elmore/at/niehs.nih.gov

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Abstract

The secretory epithelial surfaces of the body are a major route of entry for potentially pathogenic substances. The organized mucosal lymphoid tissues that are found within the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts are therefore particularly important as a first line of defense against harmful compounds. The major function of these mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (MALT) is to initiate local IgA immune responses, which are then passed on to draining lymph nodes. For enhanced histopathology, the separate compartments of each lymphoid tissue should be evaluated separately for changes in size and lymphocyte cellularity and descriptive rather than interpretive terminology should be used to characterize any changes. The organization of MALT is similar to that of lymph nodes with B-cell-rich follicles and T-cell-rich interfollicular areas. Therefore, these two compartments should be evaluated separately for changes in size and lymphocyte cellularity and the germinal center development within lymphoid follicles should be evaluated as well.

Keywords: MALT, NALT, GALT, BALT, follicles, germinal centers, interfollicular area

Introduction

The mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (MALT) are dispersed aggregates of nonencapsulated organized lymphoid tissue within the mucosa, which are associated with local immune responses at mucosal surfaces. The three major regions of MALT are the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) and nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT). When oral studies are performed it is advisable to evaluate the GALT and when inhalation studies are performed the BALT and NALT should be evaluated. The organization of the MALT is similar to that of lymph nodes with variable numbers of follicles (B-cell area), interfollicular areas (T-cell area), and efferent lymphatics although afferent lymphatics are lacking. The overlying follicle associated epithelium (FAE) is typically cuboidal with variable numbers of goblet cells and epithelial cells with either microvilli or numerous surface microfolds (M cells). In addition to the organized lymphoid structures, single lymphocytes can be observed within the epithelium, mucosa and lamina propria. All MALTs are morphologically similar although there are location and species differences in the percentage of T and B cells (Haley, 2003). The article by Cesta may be referred to for a more comprehensive review of the normal structure and function of MALT (Cesta, 2006).

There are special features of stimulated and non-stimulated MALT that should be noted. In the rat, the basal lamina of the NALT and GALT epithelium is often interrupted where there is B and T lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration and should not be confused with ulceration (Kuper et al., 1990). This feature is not typically present in BALT but is reported to occur after intratracheal antigen administration with a concomitant increase in the number of nonciliated cells (Van der Brugge-Gamelkoorn et al., 1986).

According to the STP position paper: Best Practice Guideline for the Routine Pathology Evaluation of the Immune System (Haley et al., 2005), the separate compartments in each lymphoid organ should be evaluated separately and descriptive rather than interpretive terminology should be used to characterize changes within those compartments. The evaluation of MALT for enhanced histopathology would include a careful comparison with appropriate controls and an indication of changes in the number and size of follicles and germinal centers and changes in the size and density of the interfollicular area. Other changes to evaluate are hypertrophy of the high endothelial venules (HEV), and the presence, severity and location of apoptotic cells and tingible body macrophages.

Although not strictly a component of enhanced histopathology, other items that can be noted during the evaluation are the location and severity of necrosis, plasma cells, granulocytes, pigmented macrophages, granulomas, etc. An example of a checklist for the changes to be noted in MALT for enhanced histopathology is given in Table 1. This table is intended to be an example of a guideline that the pathologist can use during histological evaluation rather than a format for reporting lesions. The diagnoses listed in this table are descriptive rather than interpretive, consistent with the STP position paper (Haley et al., 2005).

Table 1

MALT: specify type (e.g., GALT, BALT, NALT).

GALT

The GALT is typically organized into discrete lymphoid aggregates within the mucosa, submucosa and lamina propria of the small intestine called Peyer's patches. These aggregates are typically multiple lymphoid follicles with diffuse lymphatic tissue oriented towards the mucosal side. In the F344 rat, the majority (56%) of lymphocytes in Peyer's patches are B lymphocytes. Examination of all areas of the Peyer's patches can be achieved by evaluating both transverse and longitudinal sections or by using the Swiss roll technique. This technique involves opening 6–8 cm segments of the small intestine in a longitudinal fashion and rolling the tissue with the mucosal side outward along a wooden stick prior to fixation (Figure 1) (Moolenbeek and Ruitenberg, 1981).

Figure 1

This is an illustration of the “Swiss roll technique” for the evaluation of Peyer's patches. This technique involves opening 6–8 cm segments of the small intestine in a longitudinal fashion and rolling the tissue with the mucosal (more ...)

Since the intestines are constantly exposed to antigens within the feed material, immunologically stimulated Peyer's patches can be a common finding. There can be a wide range in the amount of antigenic stimulation and resulting tissue changes seen among Peyer's patches within one animal and the size of the Peyer's patch does not always correspond to the amount of antigenic stimulation (Figure 2). There can also be a considerable amount of variation in the amount of antigenic stimulation among animals within a group (treated or untreated). For these reasons the GALT is one of the more challenging MALT tissues to evaluate. It is therefore crucial to perform a careful evaluation of all animals within and between groups to determine if there is a significant difference between treated and control animals. In general, chemicals such as dexamethasone and cyclophosphamide that target other lymphoid organs may also target the gut associated lymphoid tissues, but to a lesser degree (Figure 3).

Figure 2

The GALT (Peyer's patches) is normally exposed to antigens from the gut lumen. This constant antigenic stimulation results in variable degrees of germinal center development and corresponding lymphocyte apoptosis within the germinal centers. In addition, (more ...)

Figure 3

Peyer's patches from control (left panel, Figures 3A, 3C, 3E, 3G) and dexamethasone treated (right panel, Figures 3B, 3D, 3F, 3H) Sprague–Dawley rats are shown from low magnification (top) to high magnification (bottom) illustrating a treatment (more ...)

NALT

In the respiratory tract the NALT is the first site of contact for most airborne antigens since NALT but not BALT appear activated in healthy, untreated, conventionally housed rats (Kuper et al, 1990). There are species differences in the location of NALT within the nasal cavity (Haley, 2003). In rats the NALT is restricted to the ventral aspects of the lateral walls at the opening of the nasopharyngeal duct (Harkema, 1991) (Figure 4).

Figure 4

This is a section at level III of the nasal passage of a control Sprague–Dawley rat with prominent ethmoid turbinates and a nasopharyngeal duct (P). The two aggregates of nasal-associated lymphoid tissue typically lie at the rostrolateral aspect (more ...)

NALT is generally present in the third cut cross section (level III) through the head at the region of the middle of the second molar (olfactory region) according to the NTP Histology Specifications (Boorman et al., 1990). At this level there will be extensive ethmoid turbinates on either side of the nasal septum with a large ventrally-located nasopharyngeal duct. After splitting the noses of adult male albino Wistar rats lengthwise into equal halves and histo-logically evaluating the NALT, Kuper et al. (1990) demonstrated that the NALT extends with its long axis from apical to proximal, with distinct regions of T and B lymphocytes that are not in a fixed location. Therefore, stepwise cross-sections may have to be prepared in order to read all regions optimally.

Since the nasal associated mucosal tissue is the first line of defense against inhaled antigens an increase in the area of lymphoid tissue can be a common finding. However, there is typically a paucity of follicles within the NALT, most likely due to the fast transport of the immunological reaction to the draining cervical lymph nodes. Systemically administered chemicals that result in apoptosis or necrosis of other lymphoid organs may also target the NALT (Figure 5). As with all tissue evaluations, a careful comparison with control animals is needed in order to differentiate background lesions from true treatment-related tissue changes.

Figure 5

Figure 5A illustrates NALT from a control Sprague–Dawley rat. Figure 5B is the NALT from a Sprague–Dawley rat that was treated with dexamethasone 12 hours earlier and illustrates a minimal increase in lymphocyte apoptosis (arrows) when (more ...)

BALT

Bronchus-associated lymphoid tissues are organized aggregates of lymphocytes that are located within the bronchial submucosa (Figure 6). These aggregates are randomly distributed along the bronchial tract but are consistently present around the bifurcations of bronchi and bronchioli and always lie between an artery and a bronchus. This tissue can be evaluated with traditional sectioning methods of the lung. These lymphoid aggregates are composed of both B and T cells however, in the F344 rat, the majority (61%) of the lymphocytes are T cells. In various strains of mice (C57Bl/6, BALB/c, and C3D2/F1) the BALT is present but not well developed (Breel et al., 1988). Several types of nonlymphoid cells are also present, including fibroblasts, reticulum cells, macrophages and interfollicular and follicular dendritic cells. Lymphocytes may or may not be organized into lymphoid follicles. Similar to NALT, there is typically a paucity of follicles within the BALT, most likely due to the fast transport of the immunological reaction to the draining regional lymph nodes. In contrast to lymph nodes, BALTs have a relatively high proportion of collagen and reticular fibrils (Figures (Figures7a7a and and7b).7b). Inhalation studies may result in a local immune response and corresponding histological changes in the bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue and systemically administered chemicals that result in apoptosis or necrosis of other lymphoid organs may also target the BALT (Figures (Figures7c7c and and7d7d).

Figure 6

Figures 6A and 6B illustrate the random submucosal location of BALT (arrows) within the bronchial wall of a control Sprague–Dawley rat; however they are always situated between an artery and a bronchus.

Figure 7

Figures 7A and 7B are low and high magnifications of normal rat BALT. This example lacks a lymphoid follicle and is composed of a predominance of small mature lymphocytes with interspersed collagen and reticular fibrils. Figures 7C and 7D are low and (more ...)

Footnotes

This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

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