Lymphatic tissue and germinal centers in immune response

The realization of essential cellular interactions in the immune response convokes a better understanding of the fixed and free cellular components of lymphatic tissue. Germinal centers of lymphatic tissue have long been considered to have a fundamental role in the immune reaction, and have been suspected of being topographic regions where some of these essential cellular interactions may occur. The physiological significance of these topographic regions in lymphatic tissue is only now becoming clarified from recent studies of antigen localization, but the histogenic relation of the cellular compartments still needs to be resolved. This book represents the Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Lymphatic Tissue Germinal Centers, held at the University of Padova, Padova, Italy, June 26-28, 1968. The aim of the meeting was to bring together current information on the physiological significance of germinal centers in lymphatic tissue and their possible role in the immune response. The range of interests extended from phylogenesis and morphology to studies of antigen and viral localization, cytokinetics and cytodifferentiation, immunochemistry, and immunosuppression. The interactions of central lymphoid organs, such as the thymus and bursa, are studies having an essential role in these Proceedings. Also, several studies deal with lymphatic tissue germinal centers in delayed hypersensitivity and neoplastic disease. The effects of immunosuppressive drugs, antilymphocyte serum, radiation and hormones on lymphatic tissue and germinal centers are also areas covered in these Proceedings.