ISSN:
0002-9106
Keywords:
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
With electron microscopy it was observed that ferritin antigen was taken up in pinocytotic vesicles by the reticular cells. No antigen was observed in lymphocytes, in immature or mature plasma cells after primary and secondary stimulation, or after hyperstimulation. In hyperstimulated tissue a larger number of more complex vesicles containing ferritin were visible, more ferritin was found free in the cytoplasm and a larger number of multiple-membraned figures were present.Hyperstimulation led to the appearance of activated fixed reticular cells which were characterized by cytoplasm containing a rich endoplasmic reticulum with dilated cisternae and ferritin both free and in vesicles. The activated fixed reticular cells therefore contain antigenic ferritin and have the characteristics of cells engaged in protein synthesis.Using fluorescent antibody staining no antigenic material was detectable in the antibody producing plasma cell; therefore if antigen fragments not identifiable in electron microscopy are present they are in a form not available for antibody staining. Gamma-globulin was not detectable in the activated reticular cell. It may be necessary for the intact antigen to be completely modified and for the cell to lose its fixed position before γ-globulin synthesis can begin.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aja.1001170306
