Abstract

Transplantation of skin brings about response of the regional lymph nodes. Lymph node cells (B and T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, imigrating monocytes, high endothelial venous cells) respond to three types of antigens: allogeneic, bacterial and self-antigens. Allogeneic reaction is induced by contact of antigen presenting cells (APC) with donor antigens. Bacteria penetrate rejecting graft epidermis and travel along lymphatics to the nearest lymph node. Rejecting graft debris is phagocytized by macrophages and dendritic cells and transported to lymph nodes. These different type antigens induce different reaction of node cells. In this review we present data from literature and own studies on the effect of bacteria normally residing on skin surface on lymph node after penetration of epidermis. Further reviews will be dealing with the response of lymph nodes to allo- and autoantigens.