Abstract
ObjectiveHassall's corpuscles are unique component of the thymic medulla, which participate in the physiological activities of the thymus. Although, they have role in maturation and differentiation of thymocytes, their function still remains an enigma. Present study proposes immunohistochemical criteria for assessing structural and functional characteristics of Hassall's corpuscles using antibodies against cytokeratin markers in human fetuses.MethodsHassall's corpuscles of 30 aborted human fetuses of various gestational ages (12 to 31 weeks) were studied by using CK5, CK8 and CK14 antibodies.ResultsHassall's corpuscles exhibited positivity for CK5, CK8 from 13 weeks onwards, while CK14 positivity was seen after 16 weeks. CK8 and CK14 positivity was seen around the periphery, while CK5 positivity was observed both at peripheral and central part of Hassall's corpuscles. Two major growth spurts were observed after 16 and 22 weeks of gestation.ConclusionsDemonstration of CK5, CK8 and CK14 (markers for simple and stratified epithelium) in Hassall's corpuscles from thymic medulla of human fetuses support the hypothesis that thymus undergoes sequential stages of differentiation similar to the epidermal tissue. This study enriches the information about structural and functional aspects of Hassall's bodies. This knowledge is crucial and can be used to treat various immunodeficiency diseases of skin and thymic tissue by acquiring progenitor stem cells from fetal thymic tissue.Support or Funding InformationDirector PGIMER, Chandigarh
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