Lymphocyte migration in the mouse. I. Time course of cell accumulation and the effect of antigen sensitisation and challenge in a murine model of chronic inflammation.

The effect of time and of antigen sensitisation and challenge on lymphocyte migration into a site of chronic inflammation has been examined in the mouse. Enhanced lymphocyte migration occurred at sites of chronic inflammation after sensitisation and challenge to Bordetella pertussis vaccine (BPV). Biphasic migration was observed with time (5 min to 24 h), the initial very rapid but transient localisation at the inflamed site being followed by a second slower more sustained influx of cells. Increased localisation was also obtained with time in the lymphoid tissues and was accompanied by a parallel decrease in the number of cells present in the blood. The relative importance of antigen sensitisation and challenge for lymphocyte migration to a site of chronic inflammation has also been assessed. Lymphocyte migration into the inflamed site was partially dependent on the immunological status of the injected lymphocytes, but the presence or absence of antigen at the site of inflammation was the major factor which determined the degree of migration to the site.