AN ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STUDY ON THE RETICULOENDOTHELIAL CELLS IN THE LYMPH NODES

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Abstract
To clarify the cytological characteristics of the RES cells in the lymph nodes and their embryological correlations, lymph nodes and lymph node anlages of germ-free rats, nude mice and human fetuses were examined by light microscopy and EM. On the basis of differences of intracellular organelles, their behaviors for reticulum fibers and of endogenous peroxidatic activity, histiocytes should be reasonably distinguished from the cells conventionally called reticulum cells. Reticulum cells and histiocytes, respectively, are destined to differentiate in different directions from the early stage of development of the lymph node anlage. Sinus endothelial cells are ontogenetically originated and differentiated from the endothelial lining cells of lymphatic vessels. Primitive reticular cells are differentiated into mature reticulum cells in the lymph nodes, they transform into the lympho-reticular cells, further into lymphoblasts and finally develop into medium-sized lymphocytes.