CHAPTER 6 



ROLE OF THE LYMPHOCYTE 

 IN INFLAMMATION 



JOSEPH C. SIERACKI AND JOHN W. REBUCK 



In the lesions of chronic inflammation, lymphocytes and plasma cells 

 form part of the characteristic inflammatory exudate. The retention of the 

 characteristic lymphocyte morphology in such lesions as perivascular cuffing 

 in paresis (Fig. 6-1) and about the periphery of various granulomas (Fig. 

 6-2) is so obvious that no major dispute exists as to the origin of these cells 

 in these so-called small, round cell infiltrations. In such lesions, since there is 

 little histologic evidence of any phagocytic powers among the lymphocytes, 

 some pathologists have questioned whether lymphocytes can ever be phago- 

 cytic. 



The lymphocytes in inflammation are concerned with a number of known 

 interrelated functions. Some of these are outlined in Table 6-1. The im- 

 munologic, trephocytic, and other functions will be discussed in detail by 

 others in this monograph. 



Table 6-1. Some Functions of Lymphocytes in Inflammation 



1. Phagocytosis 



1. Important mobile source of motile macrophages 



2. Rich in adenosinase — destroy products of protein catabolism 



3. Acid active proteoses — removal fibrin, rbc, etc. 



II. Immunologic Phenomena 



Produce antibodies, transfer hypersensitivity, etc. 



III. Trephocytic Functions 



Labile protein and nucleic acid depots 



IV. Cytopoietic Functions 



Source of other cells (e.g., plasma cells, fibroblasts) as well as other lymphocytes 



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