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The histological features of the immune system of the equine respiratory tract.
Abstract: The distribution of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue along the equine respiratory tract was surveyed in light microscopical sections. Intra-epithelial lymphocytes and similar cells scattered in the lamina propria were identified in all sites from the nasal vestibule to bronchioles of 2 to 4 mm diameter. Isolated lymphoid patches, occasionally with nodules, were common in bronchioles, but the density of this bronchiole-associated lymphoid tissue (BRALT) varied between individual horses. Bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) was infrequently encountered. In the upper respiratory tract, nodules dispersed within the nasal cavity, nasopharynx and near the auditory tube merit the collective term, nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT). Laryngeal- and tracheal-associated lymphoid tissue (LTALT) was also identified, but this was limited to the epiglottis, arytenoid and rostral trachea. At all sites, the discrete lymphoid masses comprise primary or secondary nodules, a parafollicular and a dome area. The airway lining above was frequently modified into a lympho-epithelium and also showed varied patterns of infolding which might enhance antigen trapping.
Publication Date: 1987-09-01 PubMed ID: 3680645DOI: 10.1016/0021-9975(87)90008-9Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The article researches the distribution and composition of lymphoid tissue in the respiratory tract of horses. The findings contribute to an understanding of the horse’s immune response to respiratory infections.
Research Methodology
- The study involves an examination of the equine respiratory tract under a light microscope, focusing on the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue.
- This lymphoid tissue ranges from the nasal vestibule to bronchioles of 2 to 4 mm diameter and consists of intra-epithelial lymphocytes and similar cells scattered in the lamina propria.
Findings on Bronchiole-associated lymphoid tissue (BRALT)
- The researchers found isolated lymphoid patches, occasionally with nodules, frequently in bronchioles.
- However, the density of this BRALT varied between individual horses.
- The Bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) was less commonly encountered in horses.
Findings on Nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT)
- Within the upper respiratory tract, nodules were dispersed within the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, and near the auditory tube.
- These nodules collectively are referred to as nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT).
Findings on Laryngeal- and tracheal-associated lymphoid tissue (LTALT)
- Laryngeal- and tracheal-associated lymphoid tissue (LTALT) was also identified.
- However, this tissue was limited to the epiglottis, arytenoid, and rostral trachea.
Nature of Lymphoid Masses
- The researchers found that, regardless of location, the discrete lymphoid masses comprise primary or secondary nodules, a parafollicular and a dome area.
- The airway lining above these masses demonstrated modifications into a lympho-epithelium and varied patterns of infolding, which could enhance antigen trapping.
This research on the histological features of the immune system of the equine respiratory tract provides critical insights into the horse’s immune response mechanism against respiratory infections. The variations within bronchioles and between individual horses hint at the complexities and dynamic nature of the equine immune system.
Cite This Article
APA
Mair TS, Batten EH, Stokes CR, Bourne FJ.
(1987).
The histological features of the immune system of the equine respiratory tract.
J Comp Pathol, 97(5), 575-586.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9975(87)90008-9 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bristol, School of Veterinary Science, Langford, U.K.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Epithelial Cells
- Female
- Horses / immunology
- Lymphocytes / cytology
- Lymphocytes / immunology
- Male
- Mucous Membrane / cytology
- Mucous Membrane / immunology
- Organ Specificity
- Respiratory System / cytology
- Respiratory System / immunology
Citations
This article has been cited 12 times.- Lv M, Chen X, Huang X, Liu N, Wang W, Liu H. Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Sexual Disparities between Olfactory and Immune Gene Expression in the Olfactory Epithelium of Megalobrama amblycephala. Int J Mol Sci 2021 Dec 1;22(23).
- Schwieder A, Pfarrer C, Ohnesorge B, Staszyk C, Bienert-Zeit A. Comparative studies on the histological characteristics of equine nasomaxillary aperture and paranasal sinus mucosa considering topographic and age-related differences. Acta Vet Scand 2020 Jun 23;62(1):34.
- Van Cleemput J, Poelaert KCK, Laval K, Nauwynck HJ. Unravelling the first key steps in equine herpesvirus type 5 (EHV5) pathogenesis using ex vivo and in vitro equine models. Vet Res 2019 Feb 18;50(1):13.
- Sano Y, Okamoto M, Ootsuka Y, Matsuda K, Yusa S, Taniyama H. Blindness associated with nasal/paranasal lymphoma in a stallion. J Vet Med Sci 2017 Mar 23;79(3):579-583.
- Indu VR, Lucy KM, Chungath JJ, Ashok N, Maya S. Histology and scanning electron microscopy of the tubal tonsil of goats. Vet World 2015 Aug;8(8):1011-4.
- Sepahi A, Salinas I. The evolution of nasal immune systems in vertebrates. Mol Immunol 2016 Jan;69:131-8.
- Kang H, Yan M, Yu Q, Yang Q. Characteristics of nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) and nasal absorption capacity in chicken. PLoS One 2013;8(12):e84097.
- Mealey RH, Leib SR, Littke MH, Wagner B, Horohov DW, McGuire TC. Viral load and clinical disease enhancement associated with a lentivirus cytotoxic T lymphocyte vaccine regimen. Vaccine 2009 Apr 21;27(18):2453-68.
- Jeong KI, Suzuki H, Nakayama H, Doi K. Ultrastructural study on the follicle-associated epithelium of nasal-associated lymphoid tissue in specific pathogen-free (SPF) and conventional environment-adapted (SPF-CV) rats. J Anat 2000 Apr;196 ( Pt 3)(Pt 3):443-51.
- Heritage PL, Brook MA, Underdown BJ, McDermott MR. Intranasal immunization with polymer-grafted microparticles activates the nasal-associated lymphoid tissue and draining lymph nodes. Immunology 1998 Feb;93(2):249-56.
- Kozłowska N, Borowska M, Jasiński T, Wierzbicka M, Domino M. Computer-Aided Diagnosis of Equine Pharyngeal Lymphoid Hyperplasia Using the Object Detection-Based Processing Technique of Digital Endoscopic Images. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 22;15(18).
- Holmes CM, Wagner B. Characterization of Nasal Mucosal T Cells in Horses and Their Response to Equine Herpesvirus Type 1. Viruses 2024 Sep 25;16(10).
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