Regeneration of splenic tissue after autologous subcutaneous implantation: development of non-lymphoid cells in the white pulp of the rat spleen.

Regeneration of splenic tissue after autologous subcutaneous implantation provides a useful model for studying the development of splenic tissue. The development of the various non-lymphoid cells of the white pulp in the rat is described. It appears that regeneration of the implants is initiated by ingrowing vessels and a newly formed reticulum, which forms the microenvironment for the homing lymphocytes. Marginal metallophils are found at their characteristic location at the inner border of the marginal sinus five weeks after implantation. Trapping of antigen-antibody complexes reappears when the first primary follicles can be recognized.