Autotransplantation of splenic fragments: lymphocyte subsets in blood, lymph nodes and splenic tissue.

Abnormal ratios of T helper-type to T suppressor-type lymphocytes in the blood of patients with replanted autologous splenic tissue led to the present study in rats. Lymphocyte subsets were studied in the blood, mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen after autotransplantation and compared to splenectomized and control rats. In the blood of transplanted rats the percentage of T and T helper-type lymphocytes was lower, in the spleen B lymphocytes higher and T lymphocytes and their subsets lower. Comparable changes were seen in the lymph nodes. The data of the mesenteric lymph nodes in autotransplanted rats did not differ from splenectomized animals. Even after 37 weeks the regenerated splenic tissue only reached 13% of the weight of control rats and the absolute lymphocyte number was only 2.5% of a normal spleen. Splenic autotransplantation results in a small hypocellular mass of splenic tissue with a different composition of lymphocyte subsets and does not correct the obvious effect of splenectomy on lymphocyte subpopulations in lymph nodes.