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Title: The prostate-associated lymphoid tissue (PALT) is linked to the expression of homing chemokines CXCL13 and CCL21. Author: Di Carlo E, Magnasco S, D'Antuono T, Tenaglia R, Sorrentino C. Journal: Prostate; 2007 Jul 01; 67(10):1070-80. PubMed ID: 17474076. Abstract: BACKGROUND: The genitourinary tract is regarded as part of the mucosal immune system. However, the structural and functional aspects of the human prostate-associated lymphoid tissue (PALT) have never been extensively explored. METHODS: This article describes our investigation of this issue by means of immunohistological, confocal, and ultrastructural examination of the normal human prostate. RESULTS: PALT consists of two main components: (1) intraepithelial leukocytes, namely CD3(+)T cells with prevalent CD8(+) and CD45RA(-)CD45RO(+) phenotype, sometimes CD69(+), followed by CD94(+)NK, CD11c(+)DCs, some expressing CD86, DC-SIGN(+)DCs and a few B lymphocytes; (2) lymphoid aggregates, frequently below the epithelia, arranged in B cell follicles, endowed with a central ICAM-1(+)VCAM-1(+)CD21(+)FDCs network expressing BLC/CXCL13, and parafollicular T cell areas crossed by PNAd(+)HEV-like vessels showing SLC/CCL21 expression. Parafollicular areas were formed of prevalent CD4(+)T lymphocytes, both CD45RA(-) and CD45RO(+), and intermingled with CD11c(+)DCs. Germinal-center-containing follicles are few and their parafollicular areas are scantily infiltrated by Foxp3(+)CD69(-) highly suppressive regulatory T cells. Most lymphoid follicles lack a distinct germinal center and their parafollicular area harbor numerous Foxp3(+)CD69(-) cells. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison with the tonsils shows that PALT displays immunomorphological features required for the onset of cellular and humoral immune responses, while its T regulatory cells appear to function as suppressor-regulators of T and B cell responses.[Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]