Hepatic homing of labelled lymphocytes in man.

The homing of human lymphocytes has been studied in man by means of chromium labelling and external organ counting. The method was applied to the study of lymphocyte alteration induced by antilymphocyte globulin (A.L.G.). At non-cytotoxic concentrations A.L.G. has an opsonizing effect on lymphocytes, increasing selectively their homing to the liver. No correlation could be defined between in-vitro cytotoxicity or rosette-inhibiting activity and hepatic fixation. These results suggest that A.L.G. may act by promoting lymphocyte trapping by the reticuloendothelial cells.