Histochemical characterization of cellular and structural elements of the human spleen

Several histochemical methods were applied to identify the various cellular and structural elements of the human spleen. These included naphthol AS acetate esterase and reticulin stain for the sinuses, fluoride-resistant esterase for macrophages, alkaline phosphatase for vascular structures, chloroacetate esterase for neutrophils, cyanide-resistant peroxidase and chlorazol fast pink for eosinophils, toluidine blue for basophils and pseudoperoxidase for erythrocytes and erythroblasts. The methods are simple, sensitive and readily reproducible and are best used in combination, so that several types of cells can be identified simultaneously. The location of these cells in the spleen and the interaction between these cells are readily appreciated. These methods can be used to study the morphologic changes of spleen in various hematologic disorders.

Ultrastructural cytochemical demonstration of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoenzyme activity in "hairy cells" of leukemic reticuloendotheliosis

The pathognomonic "hairy cell" of leukemic reticuloendotheliosis was studied for ultrastructural localization of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity. The enzyme activity could not be demonstrated by Gomori's method, but it was readily demonstrated in the cytoplasmic vesicles and Golgi saccules of the hairy cell by substitution of naphthol AS-BI phosphoric acid for Na-beta-glycerophosphate of Gomori's medium. This apparent substrate specificity may be used as a marker for electron microscopic identification of the hairy cell, and may facilitate the study of histogenesis of leukemic reticuloendotheliosis.

Ultrastructural characteristics of the "hairy cells" of leukemic reticuloendotheliosis

The pathognomonic neoplastic reticulum cells, or "hairy cells" of leukemic reticuloendotheliosis from 6 patients were studied with the electron microscope. These cells demonstrated characteristic ultrastructural features which were distinctly different from those of lymphocytes, monocytes, or histiocytes. In 3 patients a distinctive ribosome-lamella complex was found. The biologic significance of this unusual cytoplasmic inclusion is still unknown. Its frequent presence in leukemic reticuloendotheliosis and its rarity in other neoplastic diseases suggest a substantial yet unexplained relationship between this complex and leukemic reticuloendotheliosis.

Studies of acid phosphatase isoenzymes in human leukocytes demonstration of isoenzyme cell specificity

Seven acid phosphatase isoenzymes, namely 0, 1, 2, 3, 3b, 4 and 5, in human leukocytes have been separated both by acrylamide gel electrophoresis and by ion exchange chromatography. The study of these isoenzymes in preparations of various cell types indicates that at least some of the isoenzymes are cell type-specific, i.e., isoenzyme o in Gaucher cells, 1, 2 and 4 in neutrophils, 1 and 4 in monocytes, 3 in lymphocytes and platelets, 3b in primitive blasts and 5 in reticulum cells of leukemic reticuloendotheliosis. Isoenzyme 5 is different from others in its resistance to l(+)-tartaric acid treatment. The persistent presence of abnormally high isoenzyme 5 in the reticulum cells of leukemic reticuloendotheliosis may be important for the differential diagnosis of this disease. Possible relationships between these isoenzymes and subcellular organelles are discussed.

Acid phosphatase isoenzyme in human leukocytes in normal and pathologic conditions

Acid phosphatase in human leukocytes was examined in a large number of patients with a variety of hematologic diseases. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia the total leukocyte acid phosphatase activity was markedly decreased. This was due to the drastic increase of enzyme-poor leukemic lymphocytes and the concomitant decrease of enzyme-rich monocytes and neutrophils. Further examination by disc gel electrophoresis revealed that the leukocytes in this disease contained only one of the five acid phosphatase isoenzymes present in a normal leukocyte preparation. Total acid phosphatase activity was not significantly altered in other hematologic disorders, yet different ratios of the isoenzymes shown by disc gel electrophoresis were observed in Hodgkin's disease, chronic granulocytic leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia, infectious mononucleosis and leukemic reticuloendotheliosis.