Lymphopoietic Tissue and Plasma Cells in Amphibians

SYNOPSIS. Lymphoid tissue and lymphopoiesis in the urodeles and anurans was reviewed. Current information suggests the spleen as the principal site of lymphopoiesis in urodeles. Anurans present a more complex situation and the principally spleenic reaction of Rana pipiens to “red-leg” organisms was contrasted with the kidney intertubular lymphoid reaction of Bufo marinus to bovine serum albumin. Intracisternal accumulations of slightly electron dense material, probably immunoglobulins, were more frequently found in Bufo marinus plasma cells than cells with undistended cisternae suggesting some specialization of these cells in cold-bloodedvertebrates. The superficial nature of our current knowledge of lymphoid tissue function and immunity in this groups was emphasized.