Immune System

Spleen - Atrophy

Narrative
Comment:
Atrophy can affect the white pulp and/or red pulp compartments of the spleen. Lymphocyte atrophy of the white pulp is characterized by a loss of lymphocytes in the T-cell areas (periarteriolar lymphatic sheaths [PALS]) and/or B-cell areas (follicles, germinal centers, marginal zones). Depending on severity, this can result in a decrease in overall PALS cellularity/area or follicle number/size (Figure 1 and Figure 2, arrows). Red pulp atrophy is characterized by a decrease in the relative amount of red pulp components, including hematopoietic cells (Figure 3 and Figure 4, arrows). Splenic atrophy can be observed as a spontaneous change in older rats and mice and typically involves red and white pulp compartments. Atrophy can also occur as a direct treatment-related effect or can be an indirect effect secondary to weight loss or reduced body weight gain.
Recommendations:
Whenever present, atrophy of the spleen should be diagnosed and assigned a severity grade. A site modifier should be included in the diagnosis to indicate whether the red pulp or the white pulp is affected. If both compartments are involved, diagnose "Spleen - Atrophy." If splenic atrophy is present as a secondary lesion, as in the case of neoplasia, it need not be recorded but should be described in the pathology narrative.
References:

Elmore SA. 2006. Enhanced histopathology of the spleen. Toxicol Pathol 34:648-655.

Full Text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1828535/

National Toxicology Program. 1992. 13-Week Short-Term Study of A3'-Azido-3'-Deoxythymidine (AZT) + Methadone Hydrochloride in B6C3F1 Mice (Gavage Studies) Completed (C92014). NTP, Research Triangle Park, NC.

National Toxicology Program. 2002. NTP TR-507. Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Vanadium Pentoxide (CAS No. 1314-62-1) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Inhalation Studies). NTP, Research Triangle Park, NC.

Abstract: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/14892

Stefanski SA, Elwell MR, Stromberg PC. 1990. Spleen, lymph nodes, and thymus. In: Pathology of the Fischer Rat: Reference and Atlas (Boorman GA, Eustis SL, Elwell MR, Montgomery CA, MacKenzie WF, eds). Academic Press, San Diego, 369-394.

Suttie AW. 2006. Histopathology of the spleen. Toxicol Pathol 34:466-503.

Full Text: http://tpx.sagepub.com/content/34/5/466.full.pdf

Ward JM, Mann PC, Morishima H, Frith CH. 1999. Thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes. In: Pathology of the Mouse (Maronpot RR, ed). Cache River Press, Vienna, IL, 333-360.

Ward JM, Rehg JE, Morse HC III. 2012. Differentiation of rodent immune and hematopoietic system reactive lesions from neoplasias. Toxicol Pathol 40:425-434.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22215512
  • Image of atrophy in the spleen from a female F344/N rat in a subchronic study

    Spleen, White pulp - Atrophy in a female F344/N rat from a subchronic study. Overall area and cellularity of the white pulp (periarteriolar lymphatic sheaths and follicles) are decreased (arrows), although the marginal zones appear to be within normal limits.

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Spleen, White pulp - Atrophy in a female F344/N rat from a subchronic study. Overall area and cellularity of the white pulp (periarteriolar lymphatic sheaths and follicles) are decreased (arrows), although the marginal zones appear to be within normal limits.
Spleen, White pulp - Atrophy in a female F344/N rat from a subchronic study. Overall area and cellularity of the white pulp (periarteriolar lymphatic sheaths and follicles) are decreased (arrows), although the marginal zones appear to be within normal limits.
Spleen, White pulp - Atrophy in a female F344/N rat from a subchronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). Decreased cellularity and area of the periarteriolar lymphatic sheath region (arrows) are evident.
Spleen, White pulp - Atrophy in a female F344/N rat from a subchronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). Decreased cellularity and area of the periarteriolar lymphatic sheath region (arrows) are evident.
Spleen - Atrophy in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a subchronic study. Both red pulp (arrow) and white pulp (follicles, periarteriolar lymphatic sheaths, marginal zones) are atrophied.
Spleen - Atrophy in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a subchronic study. Both red pulp (arrow) and white pulp (follicles, periarteriolar lymphatic sheaths, marginal zones) are atrophied.
Spleen - Atrophy in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a subchronic study (higher magnification of Figure 3). In addition to white pulp atrophy, red pulp elements are decreased, and there is a moderate amount of pigment within the red pulp compartment (arrow).
Spleen - Atrophy in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a subchronic study (higher magnification of Figure 3). In addition to white pulp atrophy, red pulp elements are decreased, and there is a moderate amount of pigment within the red pulp compartment (arrow).

Authors

Kristen Hobbie, DVM, PhD
Principal Pathologist
Huntingdon Life Sciences
Peterborough, UK

Susan A. Elmore, MS, DVM, DACVP, DABT, FIATP
Staff Scientist, NTP Pathologist
NTP Pathology Group
National Toxicology Program
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Research Triangle Park, NC

Holly M. Kolenda-Roberts, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Veterinary Pathologist
SNBL USA
Everett, WA

Reviewers

Jerrold M. Ward, DVM, PhD, DACVP, FIATP
Veterinary Pathologist
Global VetPathology
Montgomery Village, MD

Robert R. Maronpot, DVM, MS, MPH, DACVP, DABT, FIATP
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC