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Interaction of lymphocytes and high endothelial venules in irradiated lymph nodes

Journal Article · · Radiation Research; (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3577879· OSTI ID:6140410
; ;  [1]
  1. Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Bethesda, MD (USA)
After total-body exposure to various doses of ionizing radiation, the ability of lymphocytes to interact specifically with high endothelial venules of rat cervical and mesenteric lymph nodes was analyzed in frozen sections. Following a radiation dose of 1.5 Gy, high endothelial venules remained intact and the binding of unirradiated lymphocytes to the venules was enhanced relative to unirradiated controls. At radiation doses above 5.0 Gy, damage to high endothelial venules was observed histologically as well as assessed functionally. There was a significant decrease in specific lymphocyte-venule binding and a significant increase in nonspecific binding. These findings suggest that radiation-induced damage to high endothelial venules might play a role in radiation-induced immunosuppression by interfering with the normal passage of lymphocytes from the blood into lymph nodes via a specific interaction between lymphocytes and high endothelial venules.
OSTI ID:
6140410
Journal Information:
Radiation Research; (USA), Journal Name: Radiation Research; (USA) Vol. 125:2; ISSN 0033-7587; ISSN RAREA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English