Abstract
Summary
Latex particles (2 μm in diameter) accumulated in intestinal Peyer's patches and mesenteric lymph nodes of mice given latex suspensions as drinking fluid. After a 61-day period of latex feeding, the particles were also present in villi adjacent to Peyer's patches; they were not seen, however, after only 3 days of latex feeding. The amount of latex in Peyer's patches 74 days after the termination of latex feeding was much less than the amount present 14 days after the termination of feeding. It is suggested that migratory macrophages take up latex particles within Peyer's patches and subsequently move out of the patch to mesenteric nodes and villi. Some free particles may also be transported out of Peyer's patches to mesenteric nodes and villi through open lymphatic channels. The observations support the contention that Peyer's patches “sample” intestinal contents and they suggest a mechanism for the elimination of accumulated inert particulate matter from these lymphoid structures.
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