Figure 7From: Increased number and altered phenotype of lymphatic vessels in peripheral lung compartments of patients with COPDLymphatic vessels co-localize with lymphoid aggregates and contain immune cells. (A-E) Micrographs from patients with GOLD stage IV COPD. (A) Lymphatic vessels (brown, arrowheads) frequently co-localized with lymphoid aggregates (LA). Double staining immunohistochemistry revealed that lymphatic vessels (brown) contain (B) CD8-positve T-cells, (C) CD20-positive B-cells, (D) CD11c-positive myeloid-like dendritic cells, and (E) CD57-positive NK/T-cells. In all sections, nuclei were counterstained with Mayer’s haematoxylin (blue stain). Black endogenous pigment deposition is visible in (A-E). Ep, bronchiolar epithelium. Scale bars: (A) 50 μm; (B-E) 25 μm.Back to article page