Rare Plasma Cells Research Articles

The Immunoarchitecture of the Normal Human Lacrimal Gland: Relevancy for Understanding Pathologic Conditions

To delineate the immunoarchitecture of the normal human lacrimal gland, monoclonal antibodies that detect B- and T-lymphocyte, macrophage, and dendritic cell lineage, subset, and differentiation-associated antigens were used in combination with highly sensitive tissue-section immunoperoxidase techniques. Plasma cells, identified with monoclonal antibody OKT10, represented the predominant mononuclear cell population, accounting for 53.9% of all mononuclear cells present. A qualitative study of plasma cell cytoplasmic immunoglobulin heavy-chain expression in deparaffinized, formalin-fixed tissue sections showed that the vast majority of these plasma cells contained IgA. Rare plasma cells contained IgG, IgM, or IgD. T-cells, identified with monoclonal antibody OKT3, represented the second most common cell type in the normal human lacrimal gland, accounting for 40.3% of all mononuclear cells present. T cells were located predominantly in lymphocyytc foci and singly in the interstitium. T8 antigen-positive (suppressor/cytotoxic) T cells predominated over T4 antigen-positive (helper) T cells, averaging 25.2 and 14.7%,respectively. The overall mean T4/T8 ratio was 0.56. T8 antigen-positive T cells were the most numerous cell population outside aggregates and follicles, being distributed almost equally between the acini and the ducts (49%) and the interstitium (51 %). Only 16% of T4 antigen-positive cells preferred glands or ducts to the interstitium. B cells, identified with monoclonal antibody BL9, represented only 5.7% of all mononuclear cells present. B cells were exclusively found in the centers of primary and secondary follicles. The majority of the surface immunoglobulin-positive B cells expressed IgM, fewer expressed IgD, and still fewer expressed IgG or IgA. Rare LeuM1+ OKM1+ macrophages were present in the center of B-cell follicles, where rare OKT6+ dendritic cells and activated T cells (IL-2+) were also discovered. These results support the concept that the lacrimal gland belongs to the mucosa-associated lymphoid system.

Hypothyroidism in the elderly.

IN THE PAST, decreased thyroid function was believed to accompany the aging process. This was based primarily upon anatomical observations and by studies which evaluated thyroid function by means of function tests. In this review we will present an overview of the information concerning thyroid function in the elderly. Divergent results on thyroid gland volume have been reported. Some studies indicate that, with advancing age, the human thyroid decreases in volume (1). In contrast, others have reported that the thyroid gland increases in weight with age, reaching an average of 35–40 g in subjects aged 70 yr (2). There is a marked increase in microscopic and clinically palpable nodules with age (1). The prevalence of thyroid nodularity has been reported to vary between 25% (3) to as high as 90% in women over the age of 70 yr and 60% in men over the age of 80 yr (4). With advancing age there is progressive fibrosis with scattered lymphocytes and rare plasma cells in the stroma (1, 3). These anatomical changes per se may not be particularly relevant since elderly subjects generally have adequate thyroid hormone production. In fact, in one study it was observed that the weight and histology of the gland did not correlate with thyroid function as evaluated by the free (F) T4 index (I) (3).

Allelic exclusion in the B lineage cells of the rabbit.

Allelic exclusion of the K polypeptide chain allotypes b4 and b5 of the rabbit exists for the immunoglobulins of almost all plasma cells and of most mature small B lymphocytes. However, both these alleles are expressed simultaneously in rare plasma cells and in an usually large fraction of the lymphoid cells of the bone marrow. Our experiments support the idea that such bone marrow B lineage cells do not always show allelic exclusion.

Adult hypogammaglobulinemia with malabsorption and iron deficiency anemia

This thirty year old woman, who had had recurrent respiratory tract infections from age two, was found to have a severe deficiency of serum immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM. She also had scant peripheral lymphoid tissue with only rare plasma cells. Functionally, she rejected a homograft in normal time. Delayed hypersensitivity was present only to mumps antigen. She failed to respond to typhoid vaccine with specific antibody, but a reaction to the Schick test was negative. Injected virus particles were cleared normally from the circulation despite very low specific antibody production. Jejunal villous atrophy, histologically similar to celiac sprue, was associated with impaired absorption of orally administered iron. No response to a gluten-free diet occurred histologically. One son lacked detectable serum IgA and the serum IgA of the other son was low. The maternal grandfather had a high serum IgA perhaps age-related. In all other family members immunoglobulin levels were normal. The association of immunoglobulin deficiency and malabsorption remains unexplained.