Modification of lymphocyte traffic by vasoactive neurotransmitter substances.

The effects of a number of vasoactive and neurotransmitter substances on lymphocyte traffic were studied by assessing their effects on the release of lymphocytes into primary peripheral (popliteal) nodal efferent lymph of sheep following acute infusion into cannulated afferent nodal lymphatics. In a total of 23 experiments, the output of lymphocytes, small and blast, was increased by serotonin, substance P, bombesin, [met]enkephalin, isoprenaline and phenylephrine and was decreased by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), neurotensin and carbachol. Substances whose actions are modulated by prostaglandins and enhanced by prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors and which elevate blood monocyte and nervous tissue levels of cyclic GMP tended to increase lymphocyte traffic through peripheral lymph nodes in sheep in vivo. The opposite effect tended to be produced by substances whose actions require or are associated with prostaglandins or histamine, and which affect blood monocytic cyclic nucleotide levels by elevation of cyclic AMP or depression of cyclic GMP. Pain and inflammation tended to increase lymphocyte traffic, while analgesics and immunomodulators tended to decrease it.