The entry of T and B lymphocytes into rat popliteal lymph nodes undergoing a graft-versus-host reaction.
The entry of radiolabeled blood-borne T and B lymphocytes into resting popliteal lymph nodes and popliteal lymph nodes stimulated with semiallogeneic lymphocytes was investigated in rats. Thoracic duct lymphocytes separated into T- and B-lymphocyte populations on nylon-wool columns were radiolabeled with 51chromium and equal numbers of T or B lymphocytes were injected intravenously. While the ratio of T and B lymphocytes in the blood is approximately 3:1 it was found that the ratio of T to B lymphocytes migrating into lymph nodes was approximately 9 T to 1 B lymphocyte in both resting and antigenically stimulated lymph nodes. Since the ratio of T to B lymphocytes in thoracic duct lymph is similar to that of blood, there is a disparity between the number of T cells entering and leaving lymph nodes. These results suggest that some T lymphocytes may return to the blood directly and/or there is increased T lymphocyte death in lymph nodes.
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002465:Cell Movement; D006087:Graft vs Host Reaction; D007717:Knee; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D051381:Rats; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*