IMMUNOLOGY 57/3 (1986) 405-409

Anti-TNP-forming cells in bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) and paratracheal lymph node (PTLN) of the rat after intratracheal priming and boosting with TNP-KLH

Van Der Brugge-Gamelkoorn G.J., Claassen E., Sminia T.

Department of Histology, Medical Faculty, Free University, 1007 MC Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract
The aim of the present study was to elucidate the role of the paratracheal lymph node (PTLN) and bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) in the generation of antigen-specific antibody-forming cells after intratracheal administration of trinitrophenyl-conjugated keyhole limpet haemocyanin (TNP-KLH). Priming as well as boosting resulted in the occurrence of specific antibody-forming cells in the PTLN, in BALT and in the lung. No anti-TNP-forming cells were observed in Peyer's patch, mesenteric lymph node and popliteal lymph node. From the data on the kinetics of anti-TNP-forming cells, it is concluded that intratracheal administration of antigen leads to a locally confined plasmacellular reaction. This suggests that the migrating and/or homing capacities of memory cells generated in the lung environment (PTLN, BALT) differ from those generated in the gut.

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