[Morphofunctional changes in the glands of the tracheobronchial system following gamma globulin administration]

Morpho-functional changes and synthesis of carbohydrate compounds in the mucous membrane of the rat and cat trachea and bronchi have been studied 2, 4, 7, 14 and 24 days after a single and twice administration of gamma-globulin into the respiratory tract and after repeated intrapleural and intramuscular administration following sensibilization with a complete Freund's adjuvant. Dynamic of the changes observed depends, to a great extent, on the mode and multiplicity of administration of the adjuvant. When gamma-globulin is administered into the respiratory tract or intrapleurally, a more active incorporation of 3H-glucose and 35S-sodium sulfate into chondroitinsulphate A, C, sialic acids and glycogen, which are synthesized by cells of the tracheobronchial system glands, occurs. In 14-24 days after gamma-globulin has been administered by any mode, sulfated glycosamineoglycans (of chondroitinsulfate B and heparin type), as well as proteoglycans and sialic acids resistive to treatment with sialidase are accumulating in discharge from the glands. The accumulation of the sulfated glycosamin sulfates is accompanied with an increased level of serum antibodies specific for the administered antigen.