大塚 裕忠

OBJECTIVES: Histidine decarboxylase (HDC), a histamine synthase, is expressed in various tissues and is induced by proinflammatory cytokines such as TNFα. As they age, C57BL/6 mice show auto-antibody deposition and lymphocyte infiltration into various tissues, including salivary glands. However, the mechanism underlying cell infiltration and the change in HDC expression in salivary glands with aging remain unclear. Thus, we aimed to elucidate the relationship between histamine and inflammaging. METHODS: We investigated the change in histology and HDC expression in the major salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, and sublingual) of 6-week- and 9-month-old wild-type mice. We also determined the histological changes, cytokine expression, and anti-aging factor Klotho in the salivary glands of 9-month-old wild-type and HDC-deficient (HDC-KO) mice. RESULTS: Cell infiltration was observed in the submandibular gland of 9-month-old wild-type mice. Although most cells infiltrating the submandibular glands were CD3-positive and B220-positive lymphocytes, CD11c-positive and F4/80-positive monocyte lineages were also detected. HDC, TNFα, and IL-1β mRNA expression increased in the submandibular gland of 9-month-old wild-type mice. The expression of PPARγ, an anti-inflammatory protein, declined in 9-month-old wild-type mice, and Klotho expression increased in 9-month-old HDC-KO mice. Immunohistochemistry showed that Klotho-positive cells disappeared in the submandibular gland of 9-month-old wild-type mice, while Klotho was detected in all salivary glands in HDC-KO mice of the same age. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate the multifunctionality of histamine and can aid in the development of novel therapeutic methods for inflammatory diseases such as Sjogren's syndrome and age-related dysfunctions.

Histidine decarboxylase (HDC), a histamine synthase, is expressed in various hematopoietic cells and is induced by hematopoietic cytokines such as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). We previously showed that nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate (NBP)-treatment induces extramedullary hematopoiesis via G-CSF stimulation. However, the function of HDC in NBP-induced medullary and extramedullary hematopoiesis remains unclear. Here, we investigated changes in hematopoiesis in wild-type and HDC-deficient (HDC-KO) mice. NBP treatment did not induce anemia in wild-type or HDC-KO mice, but did produce a gradual increase in serum G-CSF levels in wild-type mice. NBP treatment also enhanced Hdc mRNA expression and erythropoiesis in the spleen and reduced erythropoiesis in bone marrow and the number of vascular adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1)-positive macrophages in wild-type mice, as well as increased the levels of hematopoietic progenitor cells and proliferating cells in the spleen and enhanced expression of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (Bmp4), CXC chemokine ligand 12 (Cxcl12), and hypoxia inducible factor 1 (Hif1) in the spleen. However, such changes were not observed in HDC-KO mice. These results suggest that histamine may affect hematopoietic microenvironments of the bone marrow and spleen by changing hematopoiesis-related factors in NBP-induced extramedullary hematopoiesis.

Histidine decarboxylase (HDC), histamine synthase, is expressed in hematopoietic stem cells and in lineage-committed progenitors in the bone marrow (BM). However, the role of histamine in hematopoiesis is not well described. To evaluate the role of histamine in hematopoiesis, we analyzed the changes in HDC expression at hematopoietic sites, the BM, spleen, and liver of 2-, 3-, and 6-week old wild-type mice. We also performed morphological analyses of the hematopoietic sites using HDC-deficient (HDC-KO) mice. In wild-type adults, HDC expression in the BM was higher than that in the spleen and liver and showed an age-dependent increase. Histological analysis showed no significant change in the adult BM and spleen of HDC-KO mice compared to wild-type mice. In the liver, HDC expression was temporarily increased at 3 weeks, and decreased at 6 weeks of age. Morphological analysis of the liver revealed more numerous hematopoietic colonies and megakaryocytes in HDC-KO mice compared to wild-type mice at 2 and 3 weeks of age, whereas no changes were observed in adults. Most of these hematopoietic colonies consisted of B220-positive B-lymphocytes and TER119-positive erythroblasts and were positive for the cell proliferation marker PCNA. Notably, these hematopoietic colonies declined in HDC-KO mice upon N-acetyl histamine treatment. A significant increase in the expression of hematopoiesis-related cytokines, IL3, IL7, EPO, G-CSF, and Cxcl12 was observed in the liver of 3-week old HDC-KO mice compared to wild-type mice. These results suggest that histamine-deficiency may maintain an environment suitable for hematopoiesis by regulating hematopoiesis-related cytokine expression in the liver of postnatal mice. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

A 10-year-old female Papillon dog that had previously developed a mammary tumor was admitted for treatment of a hypoglycemic attack. Blood examination showed severe hypoglycemia and decreased blood insulin concentration. Computed tomography indicated multiple tumors in the cranial and caudal lobes of the right lung. These tumors were resected surgically and diagnosed as pulmonary adenocarcinomas by histopathologic examination. Hypoglycemia was temporarily improved after the resection, but a hypoglycemic event occurred 2 months after the surgery. Immunohistochemistry of the tumor demonstrated the expression of insulin-like growth factor 2 in tumor cells. Western blot analysis revealed the expression of high-molecular-weight (big)-insulin-like growth factor 2 in the tumor region. Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA expression was also confirmed in the tumor using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. These findings indicate the diagnosis of non-islet cell tumor-induced hypoglycemia caused by big-insulin-like growth factor 2 produced by the tumor in the dog. This report provides information on differentiating tumors that cause paraneoplastic hypoglycemia.

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of tumour endothelial marker 8 (TEM8) in canine mammary gland tumours (MGTs) by immunohistochemistry and to evaluate the association between tumour cell TEM8 expression and tumour histological features, histological grades and expression of luminal and basal/myoepithelial cell markers. TEM8 expression was detected in >60 % of neoplastic epithelial cells in all simple adenomas (n = 25), simple carcinomas (n = 43) and invasive micropapillary carcinomas (n = 5) studied. Six of the 18 solid carcinomas studied showed TEM8 expression in >60% of carcinoma cells present in solid structures and in 12 of the 18 solid carcinomas, <30% of the luminal structure-forming carcinoma cells showed TEM8 expression. TEM8 expression in the neoplastic cells was not associated with histological malignancy in canine MGTs. TEM8+ tumour cells frequently showed the luminal-like phenotype cytokeratin (CK)19+/p63-/α-smooth muscle actin (SMA)-, while most TEM8- tumour cells exhibited the basal-like phenotype CK19-/p63+/αSMA-. These findings indicate that TEM8 may be involved in maintaining the characteristics of luminal cells in canine MGTs and that TEM8 would be useful in identifying the type of neoplastic epithelial cell in MGTs.

Fractures are common traumatic injuries that mainly occur in the metaphyses of long bones such as the proximal humerus, distal radius, and proximal femur. However, most studies of fracture repair processes have focused on the diaphyseal region. In this study, we compared the bone repair processes of the metaphysis and the diaphysis of the mouse tibia. Bone apertures were formed in the tibial metaphysis and diaphysis. At indicated times after surgery, samples were collected, and the healing process was investigated using micro-computed tomography, as well as histological, immunohistochemical, and mRNA expression analyses. In the metaphysis, cartilage formation was not detected on the periosteal side. The bone aperture was filled with newly formed bone produced from bone marrow at day 7. In the case of the diaphysis, cartilage was formed around the aperture at day 4 and sequentially replaced by bone on the periosteal side. The bone aperture was filled with newly formed bone at day 14. In the bone marrow, expression of the osteogenic markers such as alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and type I collagen, appeared earlier with metaphyseal injury than with diaphyseal injury. The mRNA expression of chondrogenesis markers was markedly upregulated in the diaphysis compared with that in the metaphysis on the periosteal side. These results indicate differences in the bone repair processes of the two regions, suggesting functional heterogeneity of the periosteum and bone marrow mesenchymal cells in response to bone fractures.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of the zipper-like structure (ZLS), a podosome-related structure that transiently appears at the cell contact zone, in osteoclast fusion. Live-cell imaging of osteoclasts derived from RAW264.7 cells transfected with EGFP-actin revealed consistent symmetrical retrograde actin flow in the ZLS, but not in the podosome cluster, the podosome ring or the podosome belt. Confocal imaging showed that the distributions of F-actin, vinculin, paxillin and zyxin in the ZLS were different from those in the podosome belt. Thick actin filament bundles running outside the ZLS appeared to recruit non-muscle myosin IIA. The F-actin-rich domain of the ZLS contained actin-related protein 2/3 complex (Arp2/3). Inhibition of Arp2/3 activity disorganized the ZLS, disrupted actin flow, deteriorated cell-cell adhesion and inhibited osteoclast hypermultinucleation. In contrast, ML-7, an inhibitor of myosin light chain kinase, had little effect on the structure of ZLS and promoted osteoclast hypermultinucleation. These results reveal a link between actin flow in the ZLS and osteoclast fusion. Osteoclast fusion was promoted by branched actin elongation and negatively regulated by actomyosin contraction.

We previously reported that the injection of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate (NBP) induced the site of erythropoiesis to shift from the bone marrow (BM) to the spleen. Our previous study established a severely anemic mouse model that was treated with a combination of NBP with phenylhydrazine (PHZ), which induced newly discovered hematopoietic organs in the omentum. No reports have shown that new hematopoietic organs form under any condition. We characterized the structures and factors related to the formation of these new organs. Splenectomized mice were treated with NBP to inhibit erythropoiesis in the BM and then injected with PHZ to induce hemolytic anemia. The mice showed severe anemia and wine-colored structures appeared in the omentum. Some hematopoietic cells, including megakaryocytes, and well-developed sinuses were observed in these structures. Numerous TER119-positive erythroblasts were located with cells positive for PCNA, a cell proliferation marker. C-kit-positive cells were detected and mRNAs related to hematopoiesis were expressed in these structures. Moreover, TER119-positive erythroblasts emerged and formed clusters and hematopoiesis-related factors were detected in the omentum of mice treated with NBP and PHZ. The levels of G-CSF in the serum and hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) in the peripheral blood were increased upon treatment with both NBP and PHZ. These results suggest that the induced hematopoietic structures act as the sites of erythropoiesis and that NBP-induced G-CSF production causes HPC mobilization, homing and colonization in the omentum because they constitutively express some factors, including SDF-1; thus, the newly discovered hematopoietic structure in this study might be formed.

Intravenously injected lipopolysaccharides (LPS) rapidly induce pulmonary platelet accumulation (PPA) and anaphylaxis-like shock (ALS) in mice. Macrophages reportedly release catecholamines rapidly upon stimulation with LPS. Here, we examined the involvement of macrophage-derived catecholamines in LPS-induced PPA and ALS. A catecholamine or Klebsiella O3 (KO3) LPS was intravenously injected into mice, with 5-hydroxytryptamine in the lung being measured as a platelet marker. The tested catecholamines induced PPA, leading to shock Their minimum shock-inducing doses were at the nmol/kg level. The effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine were inhibited by prazosin (alpha 1 antagonist) and by yohimbine (alpha 2 antagonist), while dopamine's were inhibited only by prazosin. Use of synthetic adrenergic alpha 1- and/or alpha 2-agonists, platelet- or macrophage-depleted mice, a complement C5 inhibitor and C5-deficient mice revealed that (a) alpha 2-receptor-mediated PPA and shock depend on both macrophages and complements, while alpha 1-receptor-mediated PPA and shock depend on neither macrophages nor complements, (b) the PPA and ALS induced by KO3-LPS depend on alpha 1- and alpha 2-receptors, macrophages, and complements, and (c) KO3-LPS-induced PPA is preceded by catecholamines decreasing in serum. Together, these results suggest the following. (i) Catecholamines may stimulate macrophages and release complement C5 via alpha 2-receptors. (ii) Macrophage-derived catecholamines may mediate LPS-induced PPA and ALS. (iii) Moderate PPA may serve as a defense mechanism to remove excess catecholamines from the circulation by promoting their rapid uptake, thus preventing excessive systemic effects. (iv) The present findings might provide an insight into possible future pharmacological strategies against such diseases as shock and acute respiratory distress syndrome. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tooth agenesis is described as the absence of one or more teeth. It is caused by a failure in tooth development and is one of the most common human developmental anomalies. We herein report genomic analyses of selective mandibular incisor agenesis (SMIA) using exome sequencing. Two Japanese families with SMIA were subjected to exome sequencing, and family with sequence similarity 65 member A (FAM65), nuclear factor of activated T-cells 3 (NFATC3) and cadherin-related 23 gene (CDH23) were detected. In the follow-up study, 51 Japanese and 32 Korean sporadic patients with SMIA were subjected to exome analyses, and 18 reported variants in PAX9, AXIN2, EDA, EDAR, WNT10A, BMP2 and GREM2 and 27 variants of FAM65, NFATC3 and CDH23 were found in 38 patients. Our comprehensive genetic study of SMIA will pave the way for a full understanding of the genetic etiology of SMIA and provide targets for treatment.

Background: Mammalian erythropoiesis can be divided into two distinct types, primitive and definitive, in which new cells are derived from the yolk sac and hematopoietic stem cells, respectively. Primitive erythropoiesis occurs within a restricted period during embryogenesis. Primitive erythrocytes remain nucleated, and their hemoglobins are different from those in definitive erythrocytes. Embryonic type hemoglobin is expressed in adult animals under genetically abnormal condition, but its later expression has not been reported in genetically normal adult animals, even under anemic conditions. We previously reported that injecting animals with nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate (NBP) decreased erythropoiesis in bone marrow (BM). Here, we induced severe anemia in a mouse model by injecting NBP injection in combination with phenylhydrazine (PHZ), and then we analyzed erythropoiesis and the levels of different types of hemoglobin. Methods: Splenectomized mice were treated with NBP to inhibit erythropoiesis in BM, and with PHZ to induce hemolytic anemia. We analyzed hematopoietic sites and peripheral blood using morphological and molecular biological methods. Results: Combined treatment of splenectomized mice with NBP and PHZ induced critical anemia compared to treatment with PHZ alone, and numerous nucleated erythrocytes appeared in the peripheral blood. In the BM, immature CD71-positive erythroblasts were increased, and extramedullary erythropoiesis occurred in the liver. Furthermore, embryonic type globin mRNA was detected in both the BM and the liver. In peripheral blood, spots that did not correspond to control hemoglobin were observed in 2D electrophoresis. ChIP analyses showed that KLF1 and KLF2 bind to the promoter regions of β-like globin. Wine-colored capsuled structures were unexpectedly observed in the abdominal cavity, and active erythropoiesis was also observed in these structures. Conclusion: These results indicate that primitive erythropoiesis occurs in adult mice to rescue critical anemia because primitive erythropoiesis does not require macrophages as stroma whereas macrophages play a pivotal role in definitive erythropoiesis even outside the medulla. The cells expressing embryonic hemoglobin in this study were similar to primitive erythrocytes, indicating the possibility that yolk sac-derived primitive erythroid cells may persist into adulthood in mice.

Background/Purpose: Periapical bone resorption is mainly induced by inflammation resulting from an infected root canal. However, chemical and physical stimuli (e.g., traumatic occlusions and excessive orthodontic force) can also cause periapical bone resorption. Here, we report the induction of a periapical bone resorption model without infection in rats.Methods: Wire ligature was applied between the upper first and second molars for 2 weeks. At 2 weeks and 4 weeks after removal of the wire, the maxillary bones were processed for micro-computed tomography and histological analyses.Results: The micro-computed tomography analysis showed that periapical bone resorption had occurred and that the bone volume had significantly decreased between Week 2 and Week 4 after wire removal. Histological examination showed a normal apical periodontal ligament. No accumulation of inflammatory cells and no abscess formation were detected in the periapical region. Meanwhile, many tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive osteoclasts were detected in the periapical region of non-wire-ligated rats in which the dental pulp had been exposed; however, active osteoclasts were still located at the alveolar bone in rats even at 4 weeks after wire removal.Conclusion: These results indicate that induction of periapical bone resorption occurred in the absence of infection and that a bone resorption system different from the infection-associated bone resorption one accounted for the changes. Copyright (C) 2014 The Japanese Society of Pediatric Dentistry. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Although it is known that osteoclasts are multinucleated cells that are responsible for bone resorption, the mechanism by which their size is regulated is unclear. We previously reported that an actin-rich superstructure, termed the zipper-like structure, specifically appears during the fusion of large osteoclast-like cells (OCLs). Actin cytoskeleton reorganization in osteoclasts is regulated by a signaling network that includes the macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) receptor, a proto-oncogene, Src, and small GTPases. Here, we examined the role of actin reorganization in the multinucleation of OCLs differentiated from RAW 264.7 cells using various pharmacological agents. Jasplakinolide, which stabilizes actin stress fibers, induced the development of small OCLs, and the Src inhibitor SU6656 and the dynamin inhibitor dynasore impaired the maintenance of the podosome belt and the zipper-like structure. These inhibitors decreased the formation of large OCLs but increased the number of small OCLs. M-CSF is known to stimulate osteoclast fusion. M-CSF signaling via Src up-regulated Rac1 activity but down-regulated Rho activity. Rac1 and Rho localized to the center of the zipper-like structure. Rho activator II promoted the formation of small OCLs, whereas the Rho inhibitor Y27632 promoted the generation of large OCLs. These results suggest that the status of the actin cytoskeleton signaling network determines the size of OCLs during cell fusion. (C) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

It is well established that dental pulp has the ability to form calcified tissue, however, the precise process of calcified tissue formation and its characteristics are still undetermined. In this study we examined the process and the matrix components of the calcified tissues by means of subcutaneously transplanted dental pulp tissue. The mid-third of the mouse incisor pulp was transplanted into abdominal subcutaneous tissue. Two calcified tissues were independently formed within the implanted pulp at 7 days after the implantation, one developed in the peripheral region and the other was formed in the middle region of the pulp. Histological investigation indicated the existence of hypertrophic chondrocytes in the peripheral calcified tissue. Immunohistochemical study indicated the colocalization of types I and II collagen surrounding these cells. RT-PCR analysis indicated the transient expression of type II collagen at 7 days and the constant expression of type I collagen, osteonectin, osteocalcin and dentin matrix protein-1 and 2 at all examined times. Dentin sialophosphoprotein was only detected at 28 days after the transplantation. These results indicated that dental pulp cells might have the capacity to form calcified tissue by implanted dental pulp and it is possible that the difference of local environments induced the cells to form different types of calcified tissues within the implanted pulp.

The presence of macrophages in dental pulp is well known. However, whether these macrophages proliferate and differentiate in the dental pulp in situ, or whether they constantly migrate from the blood stream into the dental pulp remains unknown. We have examined and compared the development of dental pulp macrophages in an organ culture system with in vivo tooth organs to clarify the developmental mechanism of these macrophages. The first mandibular molar tooth organs from ICR mice aged between 16 days of gestation (E16) to 5 days postnatally were used for in vivo experiments. Those from E16 were cultured for up to 14 days with or without 10% fetal bovine serum. Dental pulp tissues were analyzed with immunohistochemistry to detect the macrophages and with reverse transcription and the polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the detection of factors related to macrophage development. The growth curves for the in vivo and in vitro cultured cells revealed similar numbers of F4/80-positive macrophages in the dental pulp. RT-PCR analysis indicated the constant expression of myeloid colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) in both in-vivo-and in-vitro-cultured dental pulp tissues. Anti-M-CSF antibodies significantly inhibited the increase in the number of macrophages in the dental pulp. These results suggest that (1) most of the dental pulp macrophages proliferate and differentiate in the dental pulp without a supply of precursor cells from the blood stream, (2) M-CSF might be a candidate molecule for dental pulp macrophage development, and (3) serum factors might not directly affect the development of macrophages.

Platelets are reportedly causal in hepatitis. We previously showed that in mice, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces a reversible and macrophage-dependent hepatic platelet accumulation (HPA), including translocation of platelets into Disse spaces and their entry into hepatocytes. Concanavalin A (ConA), which induces hepatitis in mice via both T cells and macrophages, also induces HPA. Here, we examined the relationship between HPA and ConA-hepatitis. ConA-hepatitis and HPA were evaluated by serum transaminases, hepatic 5-hydroxytryptamine, and/or electron microscopy. Unlike LPS-induced HPA, ConA-induced HPA was only moderately dependent on phagocytic macrophages. Against expectations, platelet-depletion significantly exacerbated ConA-hepatitis, and anti-P-selectin antibody and P-selectin receptor blockade reduced both ConA-induced HPA and hepatitis. Prior induction of HPA by pretreatment with low-dose LPS powerfully reduced ConA-hepatitis. Such protection by LPS-pretreatment was not effective in mice depleted of phagocytic macrophages. In platelet-depleted mice, LPS-pretreatment severely exacerbated ConA-hepatitis. In mice depleted of both macrophages and platelets, neither ConA nor LPS-pretreatment + ConA induced hepatitis. In mice deficient in IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta, (but not in TNF alpha), ConA-induced hepatitis was mild, and a protective effect of LPS was not detected. These results suggest that (i) there are causal and protective types of HPA, (ii) the causal type involves hepatic aggregation of platelets, which may be induced by platelet stimulants leaked from injured hepatocytes, (iii) the protective type is inducible by administration of prior low-dose LPS in a manner dependent on phagocytic (or F4/80-positive) macrophages, and (iv) IL-1 is involved in both the causal and protective types. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Our previous study indicated that injecting nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate (NBP) induced the site of erythropoiesis to shift from the bone marrow (BM) to the spleen. This was due to the depletion of BM-resident macrophages, which support erythropoiesis. In this study, we examined NBP treatment-induced extramedullary hematopoiesis in splenectomized mice, focusing on hepatic hematopoiesis. NBP-treated mice did not display anemia or significant change in erythropoietin production, while megakaryopoiesis and erythropoiesis were constantly observed in the liver. Erythroblastic islands were detected in the sinusoidal lumen. Kupffer cells expressed VCAM-1 following NBP treatment, which is an important factor for erythroblast differentiation. Cl2MBP-liposome treatment depleted the erythroblastic islands, and decreased the number of hematopoietic cells in the liver, as determined by colony forming assays. Together, these results indicate that Kupffer cells support erythropoiesis, acting as stromal cells in the liver, and that they might act as a niche for hematopoietic precursor cells in an emergency. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

It is well known that the body skeleton is formed by two different types of ossification systems, endochondoral and intramembranous ossification. Bone marrow is the main site of active hematopoiesis after the formation of the bone marrow cavities. However, it is unclear whether the hematopoiesis in the bone marrow of two types of ossification is regulated by the same system or not. In this study, we focused on the ontogenic development of bone marrow hematopoiesis in two different ossification systems using mouse humeral bones and palatal process of maxillary bones. Immunohistochemical and RT-PCR analyses were performed to examine the development of hematopoiesis and the expression of cytokines related to hematopoiesis in the forming bone marrow (16-days gestation stage to 1-day postnatal stage). Immunohistochemical studies showed the sequential difference of hematopoiesis between two different ossification systems. In humeral bone marrow, granulopoiesis appeared first at E16, followed by erythropoiesis from E17. On the contrary, erythropoiesis preceded one day in the maxillary bone marrow at E18, one day before the detection of granulopoiesis. G-SCF and GM-CSF were expressed at every examined stage in both types of bones while M-CSF was not expressed in the humeral bone marrow at E16. Erythropoietin was detetcted in the endothelial cells and its expression was coincident with the onset of erythopoiesis. These results suggest the time kinetic and sequential differences of hematopoiesis in two different ossification systems, which might relate to the differences of hematopoietic microenvironment.

リンパ節は支配領域からリンパ液が流入し, その過程で異物が侵入した場合には, 抗原認識と抗体産生という一連の生体防御機構を営むことが良く知られているが, 支配領域は個々のリンパ節に比較して広範囲にわたる. したがって, 支配領域から流入するリンパがリンパ節全体に流入するのか, あるいはその流入部位に局在性があり, 各リンパ小節が領域ごとに抗体産生を行うのかについては明らかではない. 本研究では, ラットを用い, 口腔内領域の基本的な所属リンパ節である顎下リンパ節におけるリンパ液の回収経路を解析し, リンパ小節が領域ごとに区画化されているか否かについて検討を行う目的で, 下顎臼歯歯肉および舌体部からのリンパの顎下リンパ節への流入についてトレーサーを用いて解析を行った. 2種類の墨 (黒, 赤) それぞれを歯肉と舌体部へ各0.02 ml投与ではリンパ節の異なる部位にそれぞれが局在する所見が得られた. 2種類の異なる蛍光色素結合免疫グロブリンの舌と歯肉への同時投与では, それぞれの蛍光色素が異なるリンパ小節内に進入している所見が観察された. 以上の結果から, リンパ節内に存在するリンパ小節には異なる支配領域からのリンパが流入し, 部位特異的な免疫応答に関与している可能性が示唆された.