Thymus-antigen- and immunoglobulin-positive cells in lymph-nodes, thymus, and malignant lymphomas of NZB/NZW mice

Abstract

Lymph node and thymic architecture in NZB/NZW mice at a range of ages was examined by light microscope histology and by immunofluorescence techniques capable of detecting cell-associated immunoglobulin and thymus antigen. Lymph nodes undergo progressive and extensive hyperplasia involving lymphocytes of both types as well as some cells lacking either surface antigen. However, two transplantable lymphomas, which developed in association with these sites of lymphoid hyperplasia, contained exclusively immunoglobulin-positive and thymus-antigen-negative cells and were interpreted as B cell tumors.