The early reactions in the spleen and mesenteric lymph node following a single injection of typhoid-paratyphoid vaccine in the mouse were histologically examined.
The splenic lymphoid tissue, white pulp, is topographically divided into five portions; periarterial area, follicular area, germinal center, outer cap region of germinal center and marginal zone. The marginal zone and periarterial area are the integral portion selectively involved in the early immune response. In the marginal zone, a remarkable depletion of small lymphocytes and a diffuse accumulation of polymorphonuclear leucocytes occur immediately after vaccine injection. The loss of small lymphocytes persists for a short period, but the infiltration of polymorphonuclears soon becomes less marked. Simultaneously with the changes in the marginal zone, prominent changes are observed in the periarterial area. The periarterial area initially is transiently packed with small lymphocytes, but subsequently becomes depleted of small lymphocytes. At 24hrs after vaccine injection, however, both the marginal zone and periarterial area are repopulated with small lymphocytes as tightly as before antigenic stimulation.
The mesenteric lymph node is topographically divided into three areas; cortical, paracortical and medullary areas. In response to antigenic stimulation, a depletion of small lymphocytes from the paracortical area occurs initially, but the area is soon repopulated with small lymphocytes.
These early events occurring in the specific topographic regions of the lymphoid organ after antigen injection appear to represent morphologic alterations during the “induction” or “latent” phase in the immune response. The nature and significance of the specific regions selectively involved in the early immune response were discussed particularly in relation to the dynamic functional structure of the peripheral lymphoid organ.
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