Distribution of IgM, IgA and IgG secreting cells in the tissues of normal and tumour-bearing mice.

The levels of IgM, IgA and IgG secreting cells were examined in control, Corynebacterium parvum-stimulated and tumour-bearing, normal and athymic (Nu/Nu) mice. The percentage of IgA to IgM or IgG secreting cells is relatively higher in peripheral blood than in the spleen or peritoneum of normal mice. Within tumours, irrespective of their degree of vascularization and immunogenicity, the pattern of Ig secreting cells in similar to that seen in peripheral blood and different from that in spleen and peritoneum even in athymic mice. Intraperitoneal injection of C. parvum changes the relative percentages of Ig secreting cells in the peritoneal cavity to resemble that seen in the peripheral blood and tumours. It appears that Ig secreting cells extravasate from peripheral blood in a non-isotype specific manner into sites of chronic stimulation.