Disappearance and reappearance of high endothelial venules and immigrating lymphocytes in lymph nodes deprived of afferent lymphatic vessels: a possible regulatory role of macrophages in lymphocyte migration

Interruption of the afferent lymphatic vessels of the popliteal lymph node resulted in the disappearance of high endothelial venules (HEV) and immigrating lymphocytes within 3 weeks. HEV showed several characteristic morphological changes: the endothelial cells became flattened and less pyroninophilic, the chromatine became condensed and protein synthetizing and secretory cell organelles became scarce. At the same time the number of macrophages in the lymph node was severely reduced. Injection of sheep red blood cells into such lymph nodes, 6 weeks after operation, resulted in reappearance of HEV and immigrating lymphocytes, and development of many plasma cells and some germinal centres. Injection of lipopolysaccharide into the operated lymph nodes resulted in the appearance of many plasma cells and a few poorly developed germinal centres; HEV and immigrating lymphocytes, however, remained almost absent.

The results show a relationship between the immigration of lymphocytes and the activity of the endothelial cells in the HEV. The activation of the latter may occur by mediators released by antigen-stimulated macrophages and T cells. Moreover, the morphological features of the HEV are independent of the presence of recirculating lymphocytes.