Fig. 6: Photomicrographs of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained or in situ hybridized cross-sections from larvae and adult sea lampreys using VLRF, VLRA, and CDA1 probes. | Nature Communications

Fig. 6: Photomicrographs of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained or in situ hybridized cross-sections from larvae and adult sea lampreys using VLRF, VLRA, and CDA1 probes.

From: Variable lymphocyte receptor F is generated via somatic diversification and expressed by lamprey T-like cells

Fig. 6

a H&E-stained cross-section of the anterior region of lamprey larvae, including the epipharyngeal ridge (Ep), thymoids (T), and gills (Gi). b, c Higher magnification of H&E-stained gill filaments and thymoids (b) and the epipharyngeal ridge (c). d–f In situ hybridization for VLRF (red) in larval immune tissues. VLRF + cells are dispersed throughout the gill filaments and thymoids (d). In the epipharyngeal ridge, VLRF expression is observed in cells lining the epithelial layer (e). Co-localization of VLRF (red) and VLRA (green) in the epipharyngeal ridge (f). g H&E-stained cross-section of the posterior body, depicting the kidney (K) and typhlosole (Ty) in larvae. h, i Higher magnification views of the H&E-stained kidney (h) and typhlosole regions (i) showing lymphoid cells located adjacent to the renal tubules (Rt) in the kidney and surrounding the main blood vessel (Bv) in the typhlosole. j–l In situ hybridization for VLRF (red) in posterior immune tissues. VLRF + cells localize around blood vessels within the typhlosole (j) and appear scattered in the kidney (k). Panel (l) shows VLRF+ cells beneath the intestine (ln). m, n H&E-stained sections of the gills (m) and the supraneural body (Sb) (n) of adults. o–q in situ hybridization for VLRF (red) in adult immune tissues. VLRF+ cells line the gill filament epithelium (o). Supraneural body contains numerous VLRF+ cells in the lymphoid area (p). VLRF+ cells are observed beneath the intestinal epithelium in adults (q). r–u In situ hybridization showing expression of VLRF (red) and CDA1 (green) in the thymoid. A VLRF⁺CDA1⁺ cell is indicated by an arrow, and an arrowhead marks a VLRF⁺CDA1⁻ cell. Nuclei are counterstained with DAPI. Abbreviations: Sc, spinal cord; N, notochord; Ep, epipharyngeal ridge; T, thymoids; Gi, gills; K, kidney; In, intestine; Ty, typhlosole; Bv, blood vessel; Rt, renal tubules; Sb, supraneural body. Scale bars: (a, g, m) 400 µm; (b, c, d, h, i, j, o, p) 20 µm; (e) 25 µm; (f) 5 µm; (n) 100 µm; (k, l, q–u) 10 µm. Representative images shown; histological patterns were consistent across all specimens analyzed (n = 4).

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