Characterization of membranous (M) cells in normal feline conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue (CALT)

Objective To characterize conjunctival lymphoid nodules obtained from the nictitans of healthy cats to determine if the follicle‐associated epithelium (FAE) of conjunctiva‐associated lymphoid tissue (CALT) in this species contains membranous (M)‐cells analogous to those described in other regions of mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). Methods Lymphoid follicles from nictitan bulbar surfaces of 10 healthy cats (20 eyes total) were examined. Nictitans from five cats were harvested immediately post‐mortem and a minimum of 12 lymphoid nodules from each third eyelid were isolated using a Zeiss operating microscope. At least three lymphoid follicles from each eye were examined using light microscopy (LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) using standard fixation and embedding protocols. Nictitan‐lymphoid follicles from another five healthy cats were processed for immunohistochemistry to characterize the distribution of T‐ and B‐lymphocytes present beneath the FAE. Results The FAE overlying CALT from 10 healthy cats demonstrated morphology characteristic of M‐cells including attenuated apical cell surface with blunted microvilli and microfolds, invaginated basolateral membrane forming a cytoplasmic pocket, and diminished distance between the apical and pocket membrane. Immunohistochemistry of lymphoid tissue subtending the FAE demonstrated B‐cell dependent regions in the germinal centers surrounded by T‐cell dependent interfollicular zones. Conclusions Healthy feline CALT contains morphologic features analogous to those described in other regions of MALT. Documentation of feline conjunctival M‐cells is of clinical relevance in the study of primary infectious, allergic, and autoimmune ocular diseases, as well as a potential means of vaccination or drug delivery.