Casein-induced experimental amyloidosis. V. The response of lymphoid organs to T and B mitogens.

Functional and morphologic studies were performed on the lymphoid organs of inbred CBA/J mice receiving chronic casein administration. In the spleen, this regimen produces marked reticuloendothelial proliferation between 8 and 16 injections (preamyloid phase) and amyloid deposition between 16 and 24 injections. No amyloid was found in the thymus, lymph nodes, and bone marrow of these animals. Phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A lymphocyte responses as measured by 3-H-thymidine incorporation were reduced in the spleen and lymph node of preamyloid animals but demonstrated partial recovery during the amyloid phase. Phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A stimulation of thymic cells was significantly increased during both stages of amyloid induction, although the histologic studies revealed a marked involution of the thymic cortex. Lipopolysaccharide stimulation of spleen cells was normal in preamyloid and amyloid animals whereas in lymph node and bone marrow lipopolysaccharide responses were significantly decreased. The findings suggest a selective removal of subsets of T cell populations in the spleen and thymus and migration of B cells from bone marrow to the spleen during experimental amyloidosis.