title: Localization of carcinoembryonic antigen in mesenteric lymph nodes of patients with gastrointestinal cancer.
abstract: Mesenteric lymph nodes obtained at surgery from 36 patients with gastrointestinal tract cancer were studied by immunofluorescence for the presence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Granular deposits of CEA in a homogenous mixture with immunoglobulins and complement were detected in the activated germinal centers in 12 lymph nodes from 8 investigated cases. Identification of CEA in germinal centers was confirmed by blocking and absorbtion procedures. Successful elution of immunoglobulins and part of CEA content with a buffer known to dissociate antigen-antibody bonds suggested that these deposits represent CEA immune complexes.
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000276:immunology*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology*; D008643:Mesentery
chemical_list: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D003176:Complement C3; D007074:Immunoglobulin G