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In the preceding paper a population of lymphoid cells was identified which (1) were derived from germinal centres in the appendix, (2) were localized in follicular structures elsewhere, and (3) could perform as antibody-forming cell precursors. The present paper presents evidence (1) that germinal centres in the spleen and lymph nodes perform the same function as germinal centres in the appendix, and (2) that germinal centres are dependent upon a stream of cells derived from the bone marrow. A new hypothesis is put forward regarding the origin and cellular kinetics of the B-cell system in mammals. It is proposed that germinal centres throughout the body function as an essentially antigen-dependent amplification system for the B-cell population of lymphocytes. Implications of this hypothesis are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the previous paper we presented findings which indicated that enzyme heterogeneity exists among PMN leukocyte granules. From histochemical staining of bone marrow smears, we obtained evidence that azurophil and specific granules differ in their enzyme content. Moreover, a given enzyme appeared to be restricted to one of the two types. Clear results were obtained with alkaline phosphatase, but those with a number of other enzymes were suggestive rather than conclusive. Since the approach used previously was indirect, it was of interest to localize the enzymes directly in the granules. Toward this end, we carried out cytochemical procedures for five enzymes on normal rabbit bone marrow cells which had been fixed and incubated in suspension. The localization of reaction product in the granules was determined by electron microscopy. In accordance with the results obtained on smears, azurophil granules were found to contain peroxidase and three lysosomal enzymes: acid phosphatase, arylsulfatase, and 5'-nucleotidase; specific granules were found to contain alkaline phosphate. Specific granules also contained small amounts of phosphatasic activity at acid pH. Another finding was that enzyme activity could not be demonstrated in mature granules with metal salt methods (all except peroxidase); reaction product was seen only in immature granules. The findings confirm and extend those obtained previously, indicating that azurophil granules correspond to lysosomes whereas specific granules represent a different secretory product.

The enhancement effect of some antigens on in vitro colony formation by normal mouse bone marrow cells is mediated through a normal serum αmacroglobulin (αM) which is present in newborn animals and shows no immunological specificity. The proportion of antigen and αM affects colony enhancement, and it has also been shown that specific antibody successfully competes with αM for the antigen. It seems likely that antigen-αM complex acts directly on the colony forming cell, rather than indirectly through release of colony stimulating factor. The possible relevance of this phenomenon to immune induction and, to the effect of antigens in promoting irradiation survival is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents information on a patient with the association of cryoblobulinaemia and cold urticaria. The cryoglobulin was exclusively kappa type IgG. The cold urticaria was passively transferred to nortnal recipients utilizing the isolated cold precipitable IgG and the cryoprotein-containing whole serum. Physical examination demonstrated only bilateral ankle pigmentation and readily producible cold urticaria. The following pertinent laboratory data were either negative or normal: Haemogram, serologic test for syphilis, urinalysis. sedimentation rate, cloning factor evaluation, cold agglutinins, cold haemoiysins, Sia test, latex tixation agglutination test, liver function studies, renal function tests. Bence Jones proteinuria. numerous bone marrow aspirations and roentgenologicai studies of the chest, bones, entire gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.

This article focuses on information related to the research work "The Acral Dermatosis of Crosti and Gianotti," by D. Contini. Six cases are described of a clinical syndrome consisting of an efflorescence of erythematous, scaly papules, with a purpuric tendency, which appear on the extremities of children, are associated with little or no systemic disturbance but are accompanied by a characteristic enlargement of the lymphatic glands and the occurrence of unusual mononuclear cells in the peripheral blood and in bone marrow.

The article presents information on the research paper "Chlorambucil in Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Certain Lymphomas," by J.E. Ultmann and A. Gellhorn. It is highlighted in the paper that chlorambucil (CB 1348) which is an aromatic nitrogen mustard, is given orally and effective doses were found to be relatively free from side-effects, and rarely to cause bone marrow damage.

The article focuses on the research paper "Urticaria Pigmentosa As a Problem in Diagnosis: Report of Two Cases, One With Systemic Involvement," by P. Brodeur and L.I. Gardner. Urticaria pigmentosa in two infants is described in this study. In one of them both liver and spleen were enlarged and mast cells were found in the bone marrow and peripheral blood. The amount of histamine and heparin was much greater than normal.

Immunological competence in sarcoidosis was measured by in vivo and in vitro immunological testing of eighteen subjects who had never been treated with prednisone, and eleven subjects treated with prednisone. Three of the latter group had been studied before steroid therapy. Cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity was assessed by intradermal skin testing with five antigens. Thymus-derived 'T' lymphocytes and bone marrow-derived 'B' lymphocytes were enumerated and the ability of lymphocytes to respond to stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), Candida albicans and allogeneic irradiated lymphocytes (mixed lymphocyte reaction) was measured and compared to results obtained with lymphocytes from healthy subjects. The non-steroid-treated and the steroid-treated groups did not respond as well as a control group to intradermal challenge. The responses of lymphocytes from patients with untreated sarcoidosis to PHA and Candida albicans was normal but the response to allogeneic lymphocytes was reduced. In comparisons stimulation indices for lymphocytes from the group who were receiving steroids were significantly reduced, with eight of eleven individuals having abnormal responses. Significant reduction in T lymphocytes was observed in only three of eleven of the non-steroid-treated subjects and five of ten of the steroid-treated subjects that were studied. Studies on patients before and after steroid therapy suggest that steroid therapy and not sarcoidosis was responsible for the poorer responses of the steroid-treated group. The most striking findings of this study was the marked disparity between the cutaneous reactivity to Candida albicans, which was abnormal, and the in vitro lymphocytes response to this antigen which was normal. This suggest that the anergy of sarcoidosis cannot be attributed to an inherent lymphocyte dysfunction or to a depletion of these cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The patient's (Im) serum contained two myeloma proteins possessing the same heavy chains (γ1) and different light chains (κ or λ). The presence of identical antigenic determinants in the variable region of the heavy chains of both proteins raises the problem of their cellular origin. The immunofluorescence technique on bone marrow smears was used to identify the cells producing these proteins. Rabbit antisera monospecific to human κ and λ types of light chains, labelled with fluorescein or rhodamine, were applied onto the smears. These studies always revealed the presence of both κ and λ chains in the same plasma cells, thus suggesting that single cells of this patient are capable of synthesizing both IgGl (κ) and IgGl(λ) proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grain count histograms from autoradiographs of [³H]uridine-labelled rat thoracic duct lymphocytes confirm the previously reported difference in uridine uptake between thymus- and marrow-derived small lymphocytes in rats. This difference is used in conjunction with autoradiography to demonstrate the specificity of cytotoxic antisera distinguishing thymus- and marrow-derived small lymphocytes. Cytotoxic alloantisera detected a new polymorphic alloantigen system present on rat peripheral thymus-derived lymphocytes, but reduced or absent on thymocytes. At least three alleles or a complex genetic system are indicated. Rabbit antisera with specificity for rat marrow-derived small lymphocytes are described: these sera are not cytotoxic for haemolytic plaque-forming cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]