Structural and cell population changes in the lymph nodes of the athymic nude mouse.

A recent tridimensional analysis of the lymph node demonstrated that its deep cortex is composed of grossly hemispherical "units," adjoining a portion of its peripheral cortex. Each deep cortex unit can be distinguished into a center and a periphery. The periphery was concluded to be a site for migration of circulating lymphocytes, the center, a site where T cells would participate in cellular immune responses. The aim of the present work was to determine the influence of the congenital athymic state on the development of the units and of other components in the lymph nodes of the nude mouse. For this, the lymph nodes at various anatomical locations in adult athymic nude mice were analyzed. The present study revealed that the athymic state did not inhibit the development of the units but severely depleted the lymphocyte population of their center only. However, it did inhibit the development of an area of peripheral cortex located over the middle part of a unit. Such an area of peripheral cortex is, thus, concluded to be thymus dependent, as is the center of a deep cortex unit. The athymic state also prevented the development of the cells of the nodules (germinal centers) and of much of the plasmocytes. On the other hand, it yielded to the enlargement of the follicles, the formation of new structures: medullary "lymphocyte clusters" and the transformation of the medullary venules into high endothelial venules. The various modifications of the nodal structures resulting from the congenital athymic state are discussed in relation to some functions of the organ.