Figure 4

Histological analysis of the spleen. (A) Localization of galectin-3⁺ cells in the white (WP) and red pulp (RP). (B) In more details, galectin-3⁺ cells were located in the marginal zone (MZ). Both photomicrographs are representative of WT mice. B cell niches were hallmarked by B220⁺ B cells in MZ of Lgals3^+/+ mice (C), but poorly identified in Lgals3^−/− mice (D). Identification of splenic CD19⁺SSC^low B cells in Lgals3^+/+ (E) and Lgals3^−/− mice (F). (G) Quantity of IgM⁺IgD⁺ B cells identified by flow cytometry. CD138⁺ plasma cells were located in the spleen of Lgals3^+/+ (H) and Lgals3^−/− mice (I). Flow cytometry analysis revealed B220⁺CD138⁺ plasmablasts in Lgals3^+/+ and Lgals3^−/− mice (J and K, respectively). n = 5 mice per group. Magnification: (A,B) 100×; (C,D) 200×; (H,I) 100×. (*) Indicates p < 0.05.