<i>Rag1</i> and <i>Rag2</i> Gene Expressions Identify Lymphopoietic Tissues in Larvae of Rice-Field Eel (<i>Monopterus albus</i>)

In immature lymphocytes, recombination activating genes 1 and 2 are necessary for antigen receptor V (D) J recombination, representing immature lymphocyte biomarkers. Herein, we cloned and sequenced rice-field eel <i>rag1</i> and <i>rag2</i> genes. Their expressions in the th...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yuchen Liu, Nan Jiang, Wenzhi Liu, Yong Zhou, Mingyang Xue, Qiwang Zhong, Zhong Li, Yuding Fan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-07-01
Series:International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/14/7546
Description
Summary:In immature lymphocytes, recombination activating genes 1 and 2 are necessary for antigen receptor V (D) J recombination, representing immature lymphocyte biomarkers. Herein, we cloned and sequenced rice-field eel <i>rag1</i> and <i>rag2</i> genes. Their expressions in the thymus, liver, and kidney were significant from 0 days post hatching (dph) to 45 dph, peaking at 45 dph in these three tissues. In situ hybridization detected high <i>rag1</i> and <i>rag2</i> expressions in the liver, kidney, and thymus of rice-field eel from 2 to 45 dph, suggesting that multiple tissues of rice-field eel contain lymphocyte lineage cells and undergo lymphopoiesis. Tissue morphology was used to observe lymphopoiesis development in these three tissues. The thymus primordium began to develop at 2 dph, while the kidney and liver have generated. Our findings verified that the thymus is the primary lymphopoietic tissue and suggested that, in rice-field eel, lymphocyte differentiation also occurs in the liver and kidney.
ISSN:1661-6596
1422-0067