The Role of the Lungs in the Removal of Transfused Lymphocytes

In rats, the intravascular injection of large numbers of lymphocytes obtained from the lymphatic system fails to increase the number of circulating lymphocytes. This is the result, chiefly, of a specific selective action of the lungs in removing the cells, after either intravenous or intra-arterial injection. The spleen, and perhaps the liver and kidneys also play a part in removing the transfused lymphocytes, but are not as active as the lungs in this respect. These results are similar to those obtained with the transfusion of granulocytes obtained from the peritoneal cavity of rabbits and raise the possibility that the lungs may act as a homeostatic organ in controlling the level of the white blood count. Under the conditions of this experiment, relatively large doses of ACTH and cortisone had no significant immediate effect on transfused lymphocytes.

These results indicate that inadequate preservation of leukocytes in stored blood does not account for their failure to appear in the circulation after transfusion, and that better preservation will not, in all probability, alter the situation.