Cytochemical Studies on Carbohydrates in the Reticular Cells of the Rat Splenic Cord.

Abstract

Carbohydrates in the reticular cells of the rat splenic cord were studied by means of a series of electron microscopic cytochemical methods. The results indicated that the reticular cells contained an appreciable abundance of glycogen particles in the cytoplasm. In the free surface coat of the plasma membrane, the cells included neutral glycoprotein, which were devoid of detectable amounts of acidic glycoconjugates. The possible physiological significance of these carbohydrates is discussed, with special reference to their characteristic cytochemical features examined in the present study.