Response of intestinal globule leucocytes in the mouse during a Trichinella spiralis infection and its independence of intestinal mast cells.

We have previously reported that intestinal mast cells represent a separate population of mast cells which is thymus- (T-) dependent. In this paper we examine whether the appearance of these cells is dependent on thymus-dependent antibodies or thymus serum factor(s). The response of intestinal mast cells and globule leucocytes to a Trichinella spiralis infection was therefore studied in congenitally athymic (nude) mice after treatment with specific anti-T. spiralis hyperimmune serum or normal mouse serum from thymus-bearing litter-mates. However, transfer of both types of serum did not lead to an intestinal mast cell response. It was concluded that the presence of an intact thymus or T-dependent cellular reactions and/or their products are essential for appearance of intestinal mast cells. In contrast infected athymic mice reacted with a minor reponse of globule leucocytes irrespective of the serum transfer. Occasionally metachromatic intra-epithelially located cells with toluidine-blue-positive granules, believed to be globule leucocytes, showed mitotic figures. Metachromatic cells were observed occasionally within the lumen of the gut. These data were interpreted as supporting the idea that the globule leucocyte is a cell sui generis and independent of the intestinal mast cell.