Newly produced virgin B cells migrate to secondary lymphoid organs but their capacity to enter follicles is restricted

The migration of recirculating B cells was compared with that of newly produced virgin B cells following passive cell transfer between congenic strains of rats differing in their kappa immunoglobulin light chain (χ) allotype. The number and location of donor B cells in the secondary lymphoid organs was determined at intervals following transfer by immunohistology using monoclonal antibodies specific for rat χ allotypes. Recirculating B cells were obtained from thoracic duct lymph while bone marrow from rats depleted of recirculating cells was used as a source of newly produced virgin B cells.

B cells from both sources gained immediate access to extrafollicular areas of secondary lymphoid organs rich in interdigitating cells and T cells. However, in lymph nodes extrafollicular B cells were found adjacent to lymphatics and not in the central paracortex. By 8 h after transfer most B cells from thoracic duct lymph were found in follicles. However, the capacity of the bone marrow B cells to enter follicles was very limited. These results are interpreted in relation to previous observations concerning (a) the timing of virgin B cell recruitment into T cell-dependent antibody responses, and (b) the role of B cells in antigen presentation.