A COMBINED IMMUNOHISTOLOGICAL AND HISTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF LYMPHOCYTE AND MACROPHAGE SUBPOPULATIONS IN THE RHEUMATOID NODULE

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 56  (2) , 239-246
Abstract
The histochemical demonstration of acid phosphatase (ACP) and ATPase was combined with standard immunofluorescence techniques, using a panel of monoclonal and conventional antibodies, to examine [human] lymphocyte and macrophage subsets and their microanatomical relationships within the s.c. rheumatoid nodule (RN). The RN is composed largely of strongly HLA-DR+, ATPase- macrophages which contain lysosomal enzymes (ACP) in large amounts. The lymphocytic infiltrate which is sparse and poorly organized is comprised almost entirely of T cells with a normal proportion of helper/inducer (OKT4+) and suppressor/cytotoxic (OKT8+) cells. These observations are in contrast to the findings in the rheumatoid synovial membrane of a prevalence of interdigitating type. HLA-DR+ cells and the predominance of helper (OKT4+) type T cells.