Repetitive Immunization Enhances the Susceptibility of Mice to Peripherally Administered Prions
Figure 2
Splenic histology of immunized mice.
(A) Spleens of non-immunized and immunized mice were analyzed at the time point of inoculation by histology with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and immunohistochemistry for B-cells (B220), complement receptors (CD21/35), metallophilic marginal zone macrophages (MOMA-1), granulocytes (Ly6g), germinal center B-cells (PNA), FDCs (Mfge8), macrophages (CD68), and T-cells (CD3). The overall splenic microarchitecture was preserved. Immunized mice showed broader marginal zones, some loosening of splenic MOMA-1+ metallophilic marginal zone macrophage festoons and a reduction of the density of MOMA-1+ cells compared to non-immunized animals. Following immunization, granulocytes (Ly6g) in the red pulp and macrophages (CD68) in the white pulp (indicated by dashed lines) were increased. (B) Densities and size of PNA+ germinal center B-cells and FDC networks (Mfge8) were also increased in immunized mice. Scale bars: 100 µm. Statistics was performed using unpaired t-test, two-tailed.