Abnormalities of the tracheobronchial lymph nodes in smokers and subjects with chronic bronchitis: A necropsy study of the distribution of immunoglobulins

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Abstract
The tracheobronchial lymph nodes obtained at necropsy from small groups of subjects (normal non-smokers, normal smokers, subjects with chronic bronchitis which was incidental to the cause of death and subjects who had died from long-standing chronic bronchitis) were examined by immunofluorescent methods to detect immunoglobulin [Ig]. Cells containing Ig were seen scattered in the medullary cords and corticomedullary junctions, and also as conglomerates within active germinal centers. Sampling methods on multiple sections were used to count the numbers of single cells containing Ig (excluding those in germinal centers) and also the numbers of germinal centers containing Ig. This work has shown that there were fewer plasma cells containing IgA and IgM in fatal bronchitics than in normal non-smokers, normal smokers and incidental bronchitics (IgA P < 0.005; IgM P < 0.01). The reported depletion of plasma cells found in the airways in a small group of subjects with fatal chronic bronchitis was probably accompanied by a similar depletion in the regional lymph nodes. The numbers of active germinal centers containing Ig (mostly IgM) were increased in normal smokers, incidental bronchitics, and fatal bronchitics, although in these small numbers of subjects the significance of this difference (P < 0.05) depends on grouping these subjects together. Cigarette smoking probably alters germinal center activity even in subjects without chronic cough.