Identification and localization of certain glycoconjugates during the development of thymus in the mice embryos Balb/C

Glycoconjugates molecules showed a programmed changes during the development. These components in the cell-surface and extracellular matrix plays important roles for different developmental processes. In this study lectin histochemistry technique was used for identification and localization of some glycoconjugates during the development of thymus. Methods and Materials: Balb/C mice embryos from days 10 to 15 and also day 18 fetuses fixed in formalin and provided 5m serial sections of these samples for histochemical study. Slices were incubated with three types of HRP-conjugated lectins (HRP) include: SBA specified for α, β-D-N-acetylgalactoseamin (α,β-D-GalNAc), PNA specified for β-D-Galactose -(1-3)-D-N-acetylgalactoseamin (β-D-Gal-(1-3)-D-GalNAc), MPA specified for D-Galactose (D- Gal). SBA lectin was presented with decreasing intensity in the Golgi zone (GZ) and cell surfaces of mesenchymal cells, epithelial cells and T-cells microenvironment in studying days. In first day (12&13) T-cells had high reaction with SBA in membranes and GZ. PNA lectin was revealed with several intensity in basal membranes and membranes of mesenchymal cells, epithelial and microenvironment of T-cells in studying days. MPA lectin weakly presented in the endodermal and mesenchymal cells and microenvironment of T-cells in all days. Results indicated that glycoconjugates molecules with terminal carbohydrate of GalNAc might have a role in the development of thymus gland and maturation of the T-cells. Glycoconjugates with terminal disaccharide of Gal/GalNAc probably have significant effect on the total developmental process of thymus gland. Further, Glycoconjugates with terminal carbohydrate of Gal probably had not a key role in the development of thymus gland and T-cells or with low quantity effect.