SEQUENTIAL ANTIGEN-SPECIFIC GROWTH OF T-CELLS IN THE T-ZONES AND FOLLICLES IN RESPONSE TO PIGEON CYTOCHROME-C

The sites of accumulation and growth of antigen-specific T cells was a ssessed during the V alpha 11/V beta 3 T cell receptor-restricted resp onse of IE(k+) mice to pigeon cytochrome c. In the T zone, the respons e was early but transient; V alpha 11/V beta 3(+) T cell numbers fell to background levels as germinal centers developed. The follicles were a major site of specific T cell growth, but V alpha 11/V beta 3(+) T cells were not obvious in foci of extrafollicular B cell growth in the red pulp. As germinal centers waned, V alpha 11/V beta 3(+) T cells i n the T zones again rose above background levels and some persisted in the follicles. After the initial stage of T cell priming, specific T cell growth seems to occur where specific interaction can occur with B cells that are presenting processed antigen.