Lymphocytosis Induced in Mice by Supernatant Fluids of Bordetella pertussis Cultures: A Histopathological Study

Abstract

Intravenous injection into mice of phase I Bordetella pertussis culture supernatants produces a marked lymphocytosis. The evolution of lymphocytosis was correlated with histopathological alterations in the lymphoid organs. The early phase, 17 hr to day 3, was associated with massive depletion of both lymphocytes from the white pulp of the spleen and of cortical thymocytes. There was a corresponding profound decrease of splenic and thymic weights. The later phase was associated with a marked decrease in lymphocytes of lymph nodes while concomitantly the spleen and thymus appeared to be repopulating. Both thymic-dependent and thymic-independent lymphocyte populations were mobilized from spleen and lymph nodes. There was a striking diminution in the number of lymphocytes contained within the walls of postcapillary venules (PCVS) of all lymph nodes between 2 and 7 days. The data suggest that initially the lymphocytosis is due predominantly to release of splenic lymphocytes and to a lesser extent of thymocytes into the circulation. Subsequently, the lymphocytosis is sustained by the depopulation of the lymph nodes. Lymph node depopulation is maintained by the failure of circulating lymphocytes to emigrate from the blood through the PCVS.

Suppression of the immune response by microorganisms.

“…We also showed that SF alone has no mitogenic effect on mouse spleen cells (47). This was measured by [3H]thymidine incoroporation and by failure to induce cytotoxicity for 5 Crlabeled target cells. In contrast, SF does stimulate certain T cell responses: (i) [3H]thymidine incorporation in response to suboptimal doses of PHA was increased by previous or simultaneous in vitro exposure of spleen cells to SF, and (ii) in the mixed lymphocyte culture reaction, parental B1O.A spleen cells from SF-injected mice responded 10 times as vigorously to F1 hybrid cell as normal B1O.A spleen cells.…”

“…Evidence was subsequently presented that pertussis induces a change in the surface of lymphocytes which causes a decreased capacity to emigrate from the blood. Thus, lymphocytosis primarily reflects the inability of lymphocytes to recirculate via post capillary venules into the lymphoid tissue (5,106).…”

Asymptomatic Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Decreases Blood CD4+T Cells by Accumulating Recirculating Lymphocytes in the Lymphoid Tissues

“…In the mouse, 3 ϫ 10 8 cells were collected during 48 h of thoracic duct cannulation with only small numbers of cells in lymph after this point (31). In mice treated with pertussis toxin, lymphocyte counts increased from 1.5 ϫ 10 7 to 1 ϫ 10 8 cells/ml of blood (1). Assuming that each 20-g mouse contains a total blood volume of 2 ml, the recirculating lymphocyte population measured after pertussis toxin injection was approximately 2 ϫ 10 8 lymphocytes.…”

Adjuvant effect of Bordetella pertussis vaccine to sheep erythrocytes in mice: enhancement of cell-mediated immunity by subcutaneous administration of adjuvant and antigen

“…which is due primarily to a redistribution of small lymphocytes and is associated with depletion and repopulation of lymphoid organs of both T-and B-lymphocytes (1,15,17). Further-more, we have shown previously that the depopulation and repopulation of small lymphocytes of the spleen and lymph nodes do not occur in a synchronous manner (1).…”