Automatic Nervous System Distribution and Function in Lymphoid Tissues

摘要

The specific aims of this proposal are to extend our neuroanatomical and functional studies of the thymus gland to include an evaluation of the development, distribution and function of the ANS within specific tissues of the immune system. We propose to accomplish this by: identifying the distribution of neuropeptides and transmitters within the interstitial nerves during the development of the mouse, rat, and chicken thymus, thymic-related lymph nodes, the bone marrow, the spleen, gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and the chick bursa of Fabricius; verifying when the need arises, the presence of these neurosubstances biochemically and characterizing any unique qualities they may express, and evaluating both in vivo and in vitro the specific effects of these substances on thymic-related functions of the immune system. During the first year, the goals of our research were to continue the anatomical, biochemical and functional studies of the thymus gland as well as initiate studies on the innervation of other lymphoid tissues and organs.