Antigens in immunity. XVII. The migration of antigen-binding, bone-marrow-derived and thymus-derived spleen cells in mice

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to compare and contrast the migratory behaviour of three sub-classes of spleen lymphocytes in the mouse: cells capable of adsorbing a specific labelled antigen on to their surfaces (`antigen-binding' cells); bone-marrow-derived (`B') cells; and thymus-derived (`T') cells.

Antigen-binding spleen cells were labelled in vitro with ¹²⁵I-polymerized flagellin from Salmonella adelaide and injected intravenously into syngeneic recipients. Their distribution within the spleen was studied by radioautography for 24 hours after injection. Nearly all the antigen-binding cells localized and accumulated in and around the germinal centres of the white pulp.

Bone-marrow-derived B-spleen cells which were labelled in vitro with ³H-uridine were found to localize in and around germinal centres. The proportion of B cells found in these regions was lower than the proportion of antigen-binding cells and there was not a progressive aggregation of B cells over 48 hours.

Thymus-derived T-spleen cells also labelled in vitro with ³H-uridine were located predominantly in the established thymus-dependent periarteriolar regions of the white pulp.

The significance of the localization of antigen-binding cells in the germinal centre regions of spleen is discussed in relation to the B and T components of the spleen lymphocyte population. The conclusion was reached that B lymphocytes activated by contact with antigen lodged preferentially in germinal centre areas.