The specificity of the high endothelial venule in bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT).

By using an in vitro binding assay, the specificity of T and B cell adherence on high endothelial venules (HEV) of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) was studied in the rat and the guinea pig. It was found that the adherence specificity of the BALT HEV is different from that found in Peyer's patches and more closely resembles the specificity of the HEV in mesenteric lymph nodes. The data are discussed in view of a common mucosal immune system.