IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE LYMPHOCYTES IN NODULAR LYMPHOID HYPERPLASIA OF THE BOWEL

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 40  (1) , 66-73
Abstract
The immunoglobulin [Ig] constituents of hypertrophied lymphoid nodules in the intestinal tracts of 6 patients with the variable immunodeficiency syndrome and 1 patient with selective IgA deficiency were evaluated by the peroxidase-labeled antibody technique. The nodules contained a dense population of IgM-bearing lymphocytes and much intercellular IgM. Evidence that the cells were engaged in IgM synthesis was the presence of the Ig in the perinuclear spaces and endoplasmic reticulum. Most of the IgM lymphocytes had surface membrane IgM, and .kappa. and .lambda. L chains were found in lymphocytes of individual nodules. Only a few cells containing IgD, IgG, or J chain, and none containing IgA, were found. The intestinal lymphoid nodules associated with hypogammaglobulinemic states are populated principally by IgM B[bone marrow-derived]-lymphocytes of polyclonal origin.