A comparison of lymphocyte subset distribution in rat lacrimal glands with cells from tissues of mucosal and non-mucosal origin

The subset distribution of lymphocyte populations isolated from rat lacrimal glands (LG) was compared with those from tissues of both mucosal and non-mucosal origin. In spleen (SPL), mesenteric (MLN) and cervical lymph node (CLN) populations the percentages of cells bearing W3/13 (pan T) and OX19 (pan T) were greater than the percentages obtained for cells bearing the OX7 (Thy-1) marker. In contrast, for lacrimal (LG), salivary (SG) and mammary gland (MG) populations, cells bearing OX7 predominated over those bearing the W3/13 and OX19 markers, with the exception of day 1 post-partum MG tissue which displayed equal numbers of OX7 and OX19 cells. Except for MG, in which OX8 (T non-helper) predominated over W3/25 (T helper) populations, the proportions of these two subsets in the other tissues were generally similar. Analysis of SPL and LG cells for coexpression of OX7 with OX19 or L chain indicated that significant percentages of OX7 bearing cells also expressed T or B cell markers. However, the higher values noted for the OX7 population in LG were not attributable to increased numbers of cells coexpressing pan T or B cell markers. These findings show that lymphocyte subset distribution in LG and other glandular mucosal tissues is distinct from that of non-mucosal tissues, in that mucosal tissues contain a predominance of cells bearing the Thy-1 (OX7) phenotype.