THE ROLE OF SIALIC-ACID IN THE LOCALIZATION OF LYMPHOCYTES IN THE SPLEEN

The role of carbohydrate structures in the interaction of lymphocytes and endothelial cells is well established. Here the influence of siali c acid in the entrance and localization of lymphocytes in the lymphoid white pulp area of the spleen was studied by injecting sialidase in v ivo. A role for sialic acid molecules on stromal elements of the splee n was determined. Although the identity of the cells that bear sialida se sensitive receptors could not be established, a role for marginal z one macrophages could be ruled our. by macrophage depletion studies.