The ultrastructural localization of immunoglobulin in chronic lymphocytic
lymphoma cells: changes in light and heavy chain distribution induced by
mitogen stimulation
DG Newell, AH Harris and JL Smith
The distribution of light and heavy immunoglobulin chains in chronic
lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells has been investigated at the
ultrastructural level using an immunoperoxidase technique. Light chains
were localized in the lumens of the perinuclear space and rough endoplasmic
reticulum, while staining for heavy chains was weak or negative and
generally confined to the membranes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
This pattern is consistent with immunoglobulin biosynthetic studies on CLL
cells in which light chains are synthesized in excess over heavy chains and
secreted as the exclusive immunoglobulin product. The pokeweed mitogen
stimulation of two populations of CLL cells for 6 days resulted in a
balanced synthesis and secretion of light and heavy chains that was
reflected in concomitant change in light and heavy chain distribution and
intensity of staining using the immunoperoxidase technique.
Volume 61,
Issue 3,
pp. 511-519,
03/01/1983
Copyright © 1983 by The American Society of Hematology