T and B lymphocyte populations in human normal lymph node, regional tumour lymph node and inflammatory lymph node.

We have determined the T and B lymphocyte subpopulations in normal human lymph nodes. The lymphocyte profile was the same irrespective of the anatomical distribution and was similar to that found in peripheral blood with identical T and B cell values but with a lower Fc and a higher C3-receptor-bearing lymphocyte subpopulation. This pattern showed a marked change in the regional nodes of patients with mammary carcinoma and nodes draining a variety of other solid tumours, with a fall in T and pronounced elevation of B, Fc and C3 cells but with a persistence of C3 predominance. The lymphocyte profile found in tonsils and nodes draining inflammatory foci was a similar but further exaggeration of the tumour node pattern, with reversal of T and B cell ratios. The T and B lymphocyte percentages in the peripheral blood of patients with clinically localized breast cancer are identical to those of the healthy controls. Different Fc/C3 subsets exist in peripheral blood and lymphoid structures and probably represent a differential functional heterogeneity. Proximity of tumour to the draining node modified this profile.