Post‐mortem human Peyer's Patches: a valuable source of viable cells in medical research

Abstract

Peyer's Patches (PP) isolated from human cadavers were investigated in their viability and ability to produce an array of cytokines. Specimens from the distal ileum were obtained from 40 serial autopsy cases, performed in Section of Legal Medicine in Bari University. Isolated PP cells were examined with regard to distribution and number and their viability was assessed. Spontaneous release of the following cytokines was determined by Cytometric Bead Array kit: interleukin (IL) - 12, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-10, IL-6, IL-1 β, and IL-8. Histological examination showed that PP lfollicles were well preserved at different post-mortem intervals (PMI) (Fig. 1), while the mucosal surface underwent autolysis. PP appear to be adequately protected from putrefactive phenomenon and cells were still alive in 72 % of cases. Cell viability declined in cadavers with a PMI>24 hours. In supernatants collected from PP cells, a significant spontaneous production of cytokines was observed in 24 out of 40 cases, and in particular TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-8 increased in traumatic death. These data provide the first evidence that human Peyer's Patches are still well preserved also several hours after death, and their availability might be of a great value for ontogenetic studies and vaccine, target drug and stem cell preparation. Figure 1. Histological view of PP folliclesOpen in figure viewerPowerPoint