An immunoelectron-microscopic study of the immunoglobulin-synthesizing cells of the rheumatoid synovial membrane.
Immunoglobulin (Ig)-synthesizing cells were examined in the transitional areas of rheumatoid synovial membrane infiltrates, which are rich in lymphocytes undergoing blastic transformation, by an electron-microscopic immunoperoxidase-labeling technique. Peroxidase reaction products, indicating the presence of Ig, were initially observed in the perinuclear cisternae of lymphoblasts. These products were subsequently observed in the rough endoplasmic reticulum in parallel to cellular maturation. In highly differentiated plasma cells Ig was rarely seen in the endoplasmic reticulum. Blastic lymphocytes containing Ig in transitional areas were in close association with macrophages, indicating that the transitional area is a major site of immunologic induction of Ig synthesis in rheumatoid synovial membrane.
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D007136:Immunoglobulins