Anti-TNP-forming cells in bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) and paratracheal lymph node (PTLN) of the rat after intratracheal priming and boosting with TNP-KLH.

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the role of the paratracheal lymph node (PTLN) and bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) in the generation of antigen-specific antibody-forming cells after intratracheal administration of trinitrophenyl-conjugated keyhole limpet haemocyanin (TNP-KLH). Priming as well as boosting resulted in the occurrence of specific antibody-forming cells in the PTLN, in BALT and in the lung. No anti-TNP-forming cells were observed in Peyer's patch, mesenteric lymph node and popliteal lymph node. From the data on the kinetics of anti-TNP-forming cells, it is concluded that intratracheal administration of antigen leads to a locally confined plasmacellular reaction. This suggests that the migrating and/or homing capacities of memory cells generated in the lung environment (PTLN, BALT) differ from those generated in the gut.