The epithelial framework of the thymus in normal and pathological conditions

Abstract

Autopsy specimens of normal human thymus, from cases of accidental involution, follicular hyperplasia, thymomas and a teratoma were investigated by immunocytochemistry using specific immune sera to small and large keratins. Keratin antisera represent a “marker” of both Hassall's corpuscles (HC) and so-called epithelial reticular cells. There were no apparent differences in keratin polypeptides distribution between cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells. In accidental involution, the epithelial framework became prominent: epithelial cortical borders and epithelial perivascular sheaths appeared often to be discontinous structures. The central and occasionally cystic spaces of HC did not react with keratin antisera. In follicular hyperplasia, almost solid epithelial aggregates were seen which were located around germinal centers. In thymic tumours, neoplastic epithelial cells displayed a marked immunorectivity with keratin antisera. Immune sera against keratin filaments represent an interesting tool in thymus research and in the diagnostic pathology of thymic tumours.