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.

Abstract

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.