B- and T-lymphocyte subset numbers in the migrating lymphocyte pool of the rat: the influence of interferon-gamma on its mobilization monitored through blood and lymph.
The subset composition of the migrating lymphocyte pool is largely unknown. In order to determine the number of B, T, CD8+, CD4+ and CD4+ 'naive' (CD45RC+) and 'memory' (CD45RC-) lymphocytes in this pool, the thoracic duct lymph of the rat was drained for 7 days. The effect of lymphocyte depletion on the number of blood lymphocytes was also monitored. In addition, the influence of continuously applied interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on the mobilization of the migrating lymphocyte pool was investigated. Within 1 week 2 x 10(9) thoracic duct lymphocytes (TDL) were collected, which represents about 50% of the total lymphocyte pool of an adult rat. Among the migrating lymphocytes an early and a late mobilized population could be differentiated. In the former the CD4+ 'naive' (CD45RC+) T lymphocytes constituted the largest population, whereas in the latter it was the B lymphocytes. Continuous infusion of IFN-gamma did not affect the number of lymphocytes in the blood. In contrast, in the thoracic duct IFN-gamma reduced the appearance of all lymphocyte subsets. However, the pattern of reduction over time differed markedly depending on the population (early or late mobilized) and the phenotype (B- or T-lymphocyte subsets). Thus, the migrating lymphocyte pool of the rat is very heterogeneous regarding its populations and shows complex changes in the mobilization pattern after IFN-gamma stimulation. Future studies should focus on how the size and the composition of the migrating lymphocyte pool is regulated.
Westermann
J
J
Center of Anatomy, Medical School of Hannover, Germany.
Matyas
J
J
Persin
S
S
van der Meide
P
P
Heerwagen
C
C
Pabst
R
R
D000818:Animals; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D002452:Cell Count; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008196:Lymph / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*
D007371:Interferon-gamma