Bacterial cell wall-induced hepatic granulomas. An in vivo model of T cell-dependent XXXX .

@entity1 @entity82 @entity738 @entity870 @entity75 @entity1575 @entity840 @entity740 @entity205 @entity35 @entity3457
In vitro studies implicate a molecular link between inflammatory mononuclear cells and alterations in fibroblast growth and function. We have extended these observations in an experimental animal model in which we document the T cell-dependence of @entity82 that occurs after activation of the cell-mediated immune system by specific antigen. @entity740 were induced in the livers of susceptible @entity35 by the intraperitoneal injection of group A streptococcal cell walls (SCW). The development of @entity738 that are composed primarily of lymphocytes and macrophages was associated with the recruitment and proliferation of connective tissue cells. Furthermore, this expanded population of fibroblasts generated a collagenous structure consisting primarily of types I and III collagen around the @entity738 . The progression of these chronic inflammatory lesions leads to the formation of fibrotic nodules throughout the livers of the treated animals. Intact @entity738 , as well as mononuclear cells derived from the @entity738 , spontaneously elaborated a soluble factor(s) that stimulates fibroblast proliferation. Physicochemical analysis revealed that the primary @entity738 -derived peak of fibroblast growth activity corresponded to an apparent Mr of 40,000, which is consistent with a previously described T lymphocyte--derived @entity3457 ( @entity3457 ) in @entity840 and @entity1 . Furthermore, the @entity82 that occurs in the @entity738 is apparently T cell--dependent, since no @entity75 developed in SCW-injected athymic nude @entity35 nor in SCW-injected animals treated with the T cell inhibitor, @entity205 ( @entity870 ). Mononuclear cells from neither of these functionally T cell--deficient animals could generate @entity3457 activity. These data show a role for T lymphocyte--derived cytokines in the development of @entity1575 in SCW-injected @entity35 .
