Specific migration of antigen-sensitive lymphocytes form the spleen to the site of allograft.
Specific spontaneous migration of antigen-sensitive splenocytes and thoracic duct lymphocytes from the transplanted spleen to the site of lymphocyte or skin allograft was studied in rats. Lack of specific recruitment of splenocytes in the allograft and relevant lymph nodes was found. Sensitized thoracic duct lymphocytes migrated specifically to the graft draining lymph nodes but not to the graft itself. The findings indicate that lymphocytes migrating from the spleen belong to the recirculating pool and are detained by sequestered antigen. The antigen-specific splenocytes have limited migratory properties and their function in the spleen seems to be devoted primarily to elimination of allo-antigens.
D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D007519:Isoantigens; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000637:transplantation; D013897:Thoracic Duct / Q000166:cytology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D007519:Isoantigens