CHICKENS FEMORAL-LYMPH NODULES - T-CELLS AND B-CELLS AND THE IMMUNE-RESPONSE

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  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 123  (2) , 667-669
Abstract
Femoral lymph nodules (FLN) which are barely perceptible in normal birds after a footpad injection of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) may significantly enlarge (responder) or remain reduced in size (non-responder). There were approximately 38% T [thymus-derived] cells and 53% B [bursa-derived] cells in the FLN of responder chickens. Significantly more plaque-forming cells (PFC) developed in the FLN than in the spleen after a footpad injection of SRBC. Total antibody, mercaptoethanol (ME)-resistant and ME-sensitive fractions were significantly higher in birds given i.v. than in those given footpad injections. There were no differences in PFC and agglutinin titers between FLN-responders and non-responders. The number of PFC in FLN exceeded the number of splenic PFC previously reported. The high PFC response of the FLN may reflect the large percentage of B cells in this lymphomyeloid tissue or the presence of antigen-experienced B cells in the FLN. Although FLN may influence a systemic immune response to major role appears restricted to a local response.