Fate of H2-activated T lymphocytes in syngeneic hosts: II. Residence in recirculating lymphocyte pool and capacity to migrate to allografts

Abstract

T.TDL—a purified population of lymph-borne H2-activated T lymphocytes—were transferred to syngeneic mice to examine their capacity to remain in the recirculating lymphocyte pool (RLP). Experiments with cells labelled with 3H-thymidine ( 3HTdR) or 51Chromium showed that although a considerable proportion of T.TDL joined the RLP (i.e., were mobilizable through a thoracic duct fistula) for several days after transfer, most of the cells soon left the pool. This applied whether the cells were transferred to normal mice or to “B” mice. Normal thoracic duct lymphocytes, by contrast, joined the RLP for long periods post-transfer. Studies with 3HTdR-labelled T.TDL showed that a small number of heavily labelled cells remained in the RLP for at least 3 months. Experiments with the θ-antigen as a cell marker suggested that a further small proportion of cells underwent division at some stage after transfer and then rejoined the RLP in expanded numbers. T.TDL showed a tendency to home to specific allografts of either skin, tumor cells or lymphoid cells. Although homing was specific it was very limited in extent.