Lymphocyte traffic through lymph nodes during cell shutdown.

Antigenic challenge of lymph nodes in sheep has marked effects on lymphocyte traffic through lymph nodes. The non-specific effects include a marked reduction in lymphocyte output in efferent lymph without a corresponding decrease in lymph flow--a phenomenon known as cell shutdown. With certain antigens there is a total disappearance of B lymphocytes during cell shutdown. The phenomenon can be reproduced in unprimed lymph nodes whenever localized complement activation occurs within the node. This also induces the release of prostaglandins, particularly PGE2. These results suggest that cell shutdown might be a two-step process involving both complement and prostaglandins. Repeated stimulation of nodes with antigen also has considerable effects on the traffic of antigen-specific lymphocytes. Antigen localized within the node can promote the selective entry into the node of T lymphocytes specific for the challenge antigen. Consequently there is a net loss from the whole animal of T cells reactive to the challenge antigen. These results are discussed in relation to lymphocyte recirculation through antigen-stimulated lymph nodes.