ACCUMULATION OF IMMUNOBLASTS IN EXTRA-VASCULAR TISSUES INCLUDING MAMMARY-GLAND, PERITONEAL-CAVITY, GUT AND SKIN

Abstract

The migration of 125IUdR [uridine] labeled mesenteric (MLN [mesenteric lymph node cells]) and peripheral T [thymus-derived] immunoblasts (PLN [peripheral lymph node cells]) was followed in mice with multiple sites attractive to immunoblasts. The sites studied were the inflamed gut (produced by Trichinella spiralis infection), inflamed skin, the peritoneal cavity and the mammary glands of lactating mice. PLN were capable of assembling in all of the 4 sites and in the presence of inflamed gut and inflamed skin, PLN accumulated preferentially in the skin. MLN, in contrast, migrated only to the gut and mammary glands and not to the skin or peritoneal cavity, and could not be diverted from one site to another. Time course experiments revealed that PLN migrate rapidly through the inflamed gut but are retained in the skin for at least 3 days.