Novel threadlike structures (Bonghan ducts) inside lymphatic vessels of rabbits visualized with a Janus Green B staining method

Byung Cheon Lee, Jung Sun Yoo, Ku Youn Baik, Ki Woo Kim, Kwang Sup Soh

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

102 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A staining method has been developed for in situ and in vivo observation of a threadlike tissue afloat inside the lymphatic vessels of rabbits without adherence to the vessel wall. The existence of this novel structure was not noticed previously because it is extremely difficult to detect it by microscopic inspection of lymphatic vessels. We have found a method that utilizes Janus Green B (JGB), which stained heavily the novel structure. The tissue was studied by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), light microscopy, and cryoscanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM). The CLSM image obtained by acridine orange staining of the novel tissue revealed its characteristic nuclei distribution: rod-shaped nuclei of 10-20 μm length aligned in a broken-line/striped fashion. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed the threadlike structure passing through a lymphatic valve as histologically distinct from lymphatic vessels and valves. The cryo-SEM image showed the threadlike structure inside a collapsed lymphatic vessel. There were spherical globular structures observable inside sinuses in a rapidly frozen sample, which suggests liquid flowing through the longitudinal ductules in the threadlike structure. The specific staining of the JGB suggests that these threadlike structures inside lymphatic vessels have a high density of mitochondria in their cells and/or nerve-like properties, either of which may provide important clues to their physiological function.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-7
Number of pages7
JournalAnatomical Record - Part B New Anatomist
Volume286
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2005

Keywords

  • Acupuncture meridian
  • Bonghan duct
  • Cryoscanning electron microscopy
  • Janus Green B
  • Lymphatic vessel
  • Microscopic anatomy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anatomy
  • Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous)

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