Newly produced virgin B cells migrate to secondary lymphoid organs but their capacity to enter follicles is restricted.
The migration of recirculating B cells was compared with that of newly produced virgin B cells following passive cell transfer between congenic strains of rats differing in their kappa immunoglobulin light chain (kappa) allotype. The number and location of donor B cells in the secondary lymphoid organs was determined at intervals following transfer by immunohistology using monoclonal antibodies specific for rat kappa allotypes. Recirculating B cells were obtained from thoracic duct lymph while bone marrow from rats depleted of recirculating cells was used as a source of newly produced virgin B cells. B cells from both sources gained immediate access to extrafollicular areas of secondary lymphoid organs rich in interdigitating cells and T cells. However, in lymph nodes extrafollicular B cells were found adjacent to lymphatics and not in the central paracortex. By 8 h after transfer most B cells from thoracic duct lymph were found in follicles. However, the capacity of the bone marrow B cells to enter follicles was very limited. These results are interpreted in relation to previous observations concerning (a) the timing of virgin B cell recruitment into T cell-dependent antibody responses, and (b) the role of B cells in antigen presentation.
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000637:transplantation; D002465:Cell Movement; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007126:Immunoglobulin Allotypes / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008211:Lymphocyte Cooperation; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000166:cytology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007126:Immunoglobulin Allotypes; D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains