Ontogeny of lymphoid organs and development of IgM-bearing cells in Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.)

In teleost fish, the head kidney, thymus, and spleen are generally regarded as important immune organs. In this study, the ontogeny of these organs was studied in Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus), larvae at various stages of development. We observed that the kidney was present at hatching, the thymus at 33 days post hatch (dph), while the spleen was the last organ to be detected at 49 dph. All three lymphoid organs were morphologically well developed during late metamorphic stages. Real time RT-PCR analysis showed that IgM mRNA expression could be observed at 66 dph and later, which correlates well with in situ hybridisation data showing that a few IgM positive cells could be detected in the anterior kidney and spleen from 66 dph. Our data also showed that the highest levels of IgM mRNA could be detected in halibut spleen. Immunostaining using a monoclonal antibody against halibut IgM detected IgM positive cells at 94 dph in both the head kidney and the spleen, which is much later than the IgM mRNA. Numerous cells expressing both IgM mRNA and protein could be detected in the spleen and anterior kidney and also to some extent in thymus specimens from adult halibut.