Characteristics of mesenteric lymph node cells homing to gut-associated lymphoid tissue in syngeneic mice.

A subpopulation of cells in murine mesenteric lymph nodes, about 15% of those synthesizing DNA at any given time, homes specifically to the gut and mesenteric nodes of syngeneic recipients within 1 day of i.v. transfer. In contrast, cells from Oeyer's patches or peripheral lymph nodes do not. A large proportion of the B blasts which home to the small intestine has surface Ig, but lacks complement receptors. Thy-1-positive T blasts home to the gut to a lesser extent than B blasts. However, it is probable that equal fractions of B and T blasts home to mesenteric nodes. Homing is not affected by measures calculated to interfere with the combination of cell surface IgA and secretory component.