An electron microscope study of the perfusion-fixed spleen. III. Fine structure of germinal centers in monkey spleens with special reference to the so-called "dendritic reticular cells".
The spleen white pulp of monkey (Macaca mulatta) was studied on electron microscopical level with special reference to cell composition of the light zone of follicular germinal or reactive centers. The presence of a special kind of the so-called "dendritic reticular cells" whose origin appear to have a bearing only on the germinal center formation was confirmed. These non-lymphoid cells, characteristic principally of a well developed Golgi complex and a conspicuous cell coat, overlying mainly the very fine ramified peripheral cytoplasmic processes, seem to support differentiation of small lymphocytes (B-cells). This specialized cell type of peculiar shape and function may be derived most probably from the rest structural reticulum cells under proper circumstances.
D000818:Animals; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009940:Organoids / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010477:Perfusion; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure*