مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Expression of some of the stem cell markers in bursa of Fabricius and thymus in the chicken and quail embryo

Abstract :

The aim of the present study was to examine embryonic bursa and thymus in the chicken and the quail for the expression of SSEA-1, SSEA-4 and c-kit (CD-117) at different periods of cell migration. A total of 30 chicken and 24 quail embryos were used in the present study to cover the period of cell migration to the embryonic bursa (Days 8, 14, and 18 of incubation for the chick embryo; days 7 and 11 of incubation for the quail embryo) and the thymic primordium (days 8, 14, and 18 of incubation for the chick embryo; day12 of incubation and day 2 following the hatching for the quail embryo). Tissues obtained at respective time points were fixed and were embedded in paraplast. Expression of stem cell markers were examined using direct immunofluorescence (c-kit) and avidin-biotin peroxidase (SSEA-1, SSEA-4) methods. Evidence gathered in the present study indicated that c-kit stem cell marker is expressed within the embryonic bursa and thymus in all periods of cell migration in both chicken and quail, whereas SSEA-1 and SSEA-4 positive cells were generally detected within the embryonic bursa and thymus in all periods of cell migration except for first period. Expression of SSEA-1 was detected on the apical surface of epithelial cells of the embryonic bursa in both the chicken and the quail embryos. It remains to be examined if these markers play any role in the migration and differentiation of B cell and T cell progenitors.