Mitogen-like monoclonal anti-actin antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies (IgM kappa) have been produced to actin isolated electrophoretically from L cell extracts. These monoclonal anti-actin antibodies bind to intact L cells and modulate DNA synthesis and cell proliferation, much like affinity-purified polyclonal rabbit antibody to the same Mr 42,000 actin. In addition, monoclonal antibodies specific for actin from Entamoeba histolytica also bound to and modulated the growth of L cells. A monoclonal antibody directed against a neuroblastoma surface antigen did not produce stimulation of L cells, and the binding activity of anti-actin monoclonal antibody to L cells was removed by absorption with actin covalently coupled to Sepharose. These observations demonstrate the specificity of interaction between the anti-actin monoclonal antibodies and the surface of intact L cells. We conclude that a surface actin-like molecule on the L cell, when bound by specific monoclonal antibody, initiates a stimulatory signal which results in enhanced cellular metabolism.     

Changes in the organization of the actin cytoskeleton during preimplantation development of the pig embryo

The organization of the actin cytoskeleton was studied in unfertilized porcine oocytes and preimplantation stage embryos from Day 1 through Day 8 of development. Fixed and detergent-extracted oocytes and embryos were analyzed by fluorescence microscopy after staining with either rhodamine-phalloidin to localize filamentous actin or with affinity-purified anti-actin antibodies to localize the total immunodetectable actin. Whereas unfertilized oocytes contain immunoreactive cytoplasmic actin, rhodamine-phalloidin binding is not detected until fertilization when a prominent cortical staining pattern becomes apparent. In early cleavage stage embryos, filamentous actin is concentrated in the cell cortex of blastomeres especially at sites of cell-cell contact. Compacting morulae exhibit a marked accumulation of actin at the margins of blastomeres where numerous interdigitating cell processes are located. The predominantly pericellular distribution of actin becomes a distinguishing feature of trophectodermal cells in the expanding blastocyst at Day 6 of development; these cells form a prominent actin-limited zone circumscribing the inner cell mass. In Day 8 blastocysts, three cell types are present that are readily distinguishable based upon their actin displays among other cytological features. Trophectodermal cells exhibit continuous actin-rich lateral borders and stress fibers along their basal surface. Inner cell mass cells contain a discontinuous actin boundary and prominent foci of actin along their blastocoelic surface. Lining the blastocoel are patches of endodermal cells in which the actin is exclusively cortical. The data are discussed with respect to differences between species and the chronology of actin rearrangements during preimplantation development of the porcine embryo.     

Effects of cytochalasin B on fibroblasts,lymphoid cells,and platelets revealed by human anti-actin antibodies

Human antibodies against actin revealed on smeared lymphoblastoid cells a strong staining of numerous microvilli of different lengths extending from the cell surface. Smeared human platelets stained by anti-actin serum showed a bright cytoplasmic fluorescence and projections extending from the surface. Human fibroblasts spread on glass were multi-shaped, and anti-actin serum revealed brightly stained fibers running through the cells. After treatment with cytochalasin B, all types of cells investigated became rounded up, and surface projections could not be demonstrated. The staining pattern indicated a redistribution of the cellular contractile proteins after cytochalasin B treatment. Cytochalasin B did not impair the antigenicity of actin, since presence of the drug did not influence the antibody absorbing capacity of actin.Culture of lymphoblastoid cells and human fibroblasts in the presence of colchicin did not influence the staining pattern of actin antibodies.     

Cells containing IgE in the intestinal mucosa of mice infected with the nematode parasite Trichinella spiralis are predominantly of a mast cell lineage

To determine whether IgE+ cells in the intestinal mucosa of nematode-infected mice were of a mast cell or a lymphocyte lineage, the intestinal mucosae of mast cell-deficient w/wv mice were examined for IgE+ cells after inoculation with Trichinella spiralis muscle-stage larvae. Immunofluorescence staining techniques were used to detect IgE associated with cells in the intestinal mucosa. Comparisons were made among four strains of mice, w/wv (mast cell-deficient), +/+ (normal congenic littermates of w/wv), BALB/c, and SJL, that were either uninfected controls or inoculated with T. spiralis. Tissue sections from the small intestine of T. spiralis-infected BALB/c, SJL, and +/+ mice were fixed in ethanol and were stained with an affinity-purified F(ab')2 rabbit anti-mouse IgE followed by FITC goat anti-rabbit IgG. Large numbers of cells in the intestinal mucosa exhibited bright fluorescence. When other sections of intestines from these mice were processed in Carnoy's fixative and were stained with alcian blue at low pH (a metachromatic stain for mast cells) or alcian blue followed by immunofluorescence staining for IgE, large numbers of mast cells were observed in the intestinal mucosa, and 70 to 90% stained positively for IgE. There was a considerable number of cells in the intestinal mucosa which were IgE+ but which did not stain with alcian blue. Few alcian blue-positive cells and no IgE+ staining cells were present in the intestinal mucosa of control, uninfected +/+, BALB/c, and SJL mice. To determine whether these IgE+ alcian blue-negative cells were of a lymphocyte or a mast cell lineage, the mast cell-deficient w/wv mouse strain was examined after infection with T. spiralis. In contrast to BALB/c, SJL, or +/+ mice, few cells in the intestinal mucosa of T. spiralis-infected w/wv mice stained with alcian blue or were positive for IgE. However, when the IgE response in the MLN of the w/wv mice was compared to the IgE response of BALB/c, SJL, and +/+ mice, numerous IgE+ cells, but no alcian blue-positive cells, were observed in the parenchyma of the MLN from all four strains of T. spiralis-infected mice. In addition, flow microfluorometric analysis of MLN cells stained for surface IgE in suspension showed a comparable proportion of IgE-bearing cells, which were mostly B lymphocytes, among all four strains of T. spiralis-infected mice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

肌动蛋白存在于蚕豆细胞核和染色体中

以兔抗肌动蛋白抗体为一抗,FTTC偶联的羊抗兔IgG抗体为二抗进行间接免疫荧光实验,观察到蚕豆(Vicia faba L.)根端分生组织中完整的细胞核和染色体均有明亮荧光。用抗肌动蛋白抗体和蛋白A-胶体金进行标记的免疫电镜实验结果表明,金颗粒分布在蚕豆细胞核中,集缩染色质和核仁中金颗粒较多。经DNaseI消化和2 mol/L NaCl处理得到去除DNA和组蛋白的细胞核和染色体。免疫荧光实验结果指出,去除DNA和组蛋白的细胞核和染色体与抗肌动蛋白抗体呈阳性反应。上述结果说明,肌动蛋白不仅存在于完整的蚕豆细胞核和染色体中,而且存在于去除DNA和组蛋白的蚕豆细胞核和染色体中。另外,用抗原肌球蛋白抗体所做的免疫荧光标记结果表明,原肌球蛋白也存在于蚕豆细胞核和染色体中。对高等植物细胞核和染色体以及核骨架和染色体骨架是否含有肌动蛋白等问题进行了讨论。     

Actin is Immunolocalized in the Nuclei and Chromosomes of Vicia faba

Meristematic cells of Vicia faba L. were labeled with rabbit anti-actin antibody and FITC-conjugated goat anti-rabbit lgG antibody and observed with fluorescence microscopy. Both the nuclei and chromosomes sent forth distinctive fluorescence, indicating that actin is present in the nuclei and chromosomes. Sections were reacted with the anti-actin antibody and protein A-colloidal gold and observed with transmission electron microscopy. Gold particles were found over the whole nuclei, and a lot of particles were concentrated in condensed chromatin areas and nucleoli, confirming the observations with the fluorescence microscopy. V. faba nuclei and chromosomes were treated with DNase Ⅰ and 2 mol/L NaC1, and DNA and histone-depleted nuclei and chromosomes were obtained. Indirect immunofluorescence tests showed that the DNA and histone-depleted nuclei and chromosomes reacted positively with the anti-actin antibody. These results demonstrated that actin exists not only in intact nuclei and chromosomes but also in DNA and histone-depleted nuclei and chromosomes of V. faba. In addition, the authors' results indicate that tropomyosin is present in the nuclei and chromosomes of V. faba. Presence of actin in nuclei and chromosomes as well as in DNA and histone-depleted nuclei and chromosomes of higher plants is discussed.     

肌动蛋白存在于车蝗精母细胞核和染色体中

以兔抗肌动蛋白抗体为一抗,FITC偶联的羊抗兔IgG抗体为二抗进行间接免疫荧光实验,观察到车蝗（Oedaleus asiaticus）精母细胞核及减数分裂Ⅰ细线期、终变期、减数分裂Ⅱ中期染色体上均发出明亮的黄经发色荧光,说明其中含有肌动蛋白。本文结果证明肌动蛋白是车蝗减数分裂细胞核和染色体的组成成分。     

Enumeration and isolation of rabbit T and B lymphocytes by using antibody-coated erythrocytes.

Rosette formation with antibody-coated erythrocytes (Ab-E) was employed for the enumeration and isolation of rabbit B cells (Ig+T-) and T cells (Ig-T+). The cells bearing surface Ig (Ig+ cells) were enumerated by a direct immunocytoadhesion technique utilizing anti-rabbit IgG antibody-coated erythrocytes (Ab-E). To enumerate cells bearing thymus cell antigen (T+ cells), an indirect rosette technique was used in which lymphocytes were first sensitized with guinea pig anti-rabbit thymus cell antiserum and then rosetted with anti-guinea pig IgG Ab-E. To demonstrate the specificity of the anti-thymus cell antiserum, a 51Cr radioimmunoassay for counting rosettes was employed along with visual counting to enumerate Ig+ and T+ cells in lymph node cell populations. When Ig+ and T+ lymph node cells were rosetted simultaneously with sheep and human erythrocytes, no mixed rosettes (less than 1%) were observed. Ficoll-Hypaque gradient centrifugation was used to obtain purified Ig+T- and Ig-T+ cells by removing rosetted T+ and Ig+ cells, respectively. The purity of isolated Ig-T+ cells was indicated by 94 to 95% indirect rosetting with anti-thymus cell antiserum and by 0 to 3% direct rosetting with anti-rabbit IgG Ab-E. The purity of isolated Ig+T- cells was indicated by 90 t0 94% direct rosetting with anti-rabbit IgG Ab-E and by 2 to 3% indirect rosetting with anti-thymus cell antiserum. The percentage of Ig+T- and Ig-T+ cells were determined in peripheral blood and in various lymphoid organs. The isolated Ig+T- and Ig-T+ cells were also characterized by their responses to mitogens. Thus, nearly pure Ig+T- and Ig-T+ cells were isolated by "negative selection," which should minimize functional changes of the cells, and thereby facilitate the study of their biologic properties, e.g., their response to mitogens.     

Surface immunoglobulin on rabbit lymphoid cells. I. Ultrastructural distribution and endocytosis of b4 allotypic determinants on peripheral blood lymphocytes

Immunoglobulin (Ig) b4 allotypic determinants are detected on the surface membrane of rabbit peripheral blood lymphocytes by an indirect immunoferritin labeling technique. Cells coated with antiallotype antibodies are labelled with soluble complexes of ferritin and rabbit antiferritin of a given allotype. At 0 °C a patchy distribution of labeled surface immunoglobulin is visualized on 80% of the lymphocytes examined. Warming of the cells for 1–5 min at 37 °C causes rapid endocytosis of surface label in a perinuclear fashion. Cap formation is not observed. Cross-linking of immunoferritin labelled surface determinants with sheep anti-rabbit Ig (SARG) inhibits endocytosis and promotes aggregation of small surface patches. Indirect evidence suggests that sloughing and/or stripping of labelled surface Ig can occur after this aggregation. These surface changes may be the first step in the induction of lymphocyte activation.     

The odontoblast process extends to the dentinoenamel junction: an immunocytochemical study of rat dentine

The length and extent of the odontoblast cell process in dentine has been the subject of controversy for many years. Here an immunofluorescence technique has been applied at the light microscope level to rat coronal dentine to localize the intracellular components actin and tubulin. Adult rats were perfused with periodate-lysine-paraformaldehyde fixative, teeth were extracted, the molar crowns were demineralized, dehydrated, wax embedded, and 6 micron sections were prepared. The sections were postfixed in -20 degrees C acetone and then incubated with affinity-purified rabbit anti-actin or anti-tubulin antibodies, followed by fluorescein-conjugated goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin. Intratubular immunofluorescence labeling for tubulin extended to the dentinoenamel junction, whereas labeling for actin, although extending to the dentinoenamel junction, was more prominent in the pulpal third of the rat dentine. Areas in which odontoblast processes are known not to occur, i.e., the atubular dentine, were not labeled by either antibody. The presence of actin- and tubulin-containing structures extending to the dentinoenamel junction is consistent with the hypothesis that the odontoblast process traverses the dentine for up to 3-4 mm, all the way to the dentinoenamel junction. Furthermore, the different staining patterns for actin-containing microfilaments as compared to tubulin-containing microtubules suggest that these two filamentous systems may have different roles in the function of the odontoblast process.     

Immunocytochemical localization of actin in epithelial cells of rat small intestine by light and electron microscopy

We used post-embedding immunocytochemical techniques and affinity-purified anti-actin antibody to evaluate localization of actin in epithelial cells of small intestine by fluorescence and electron microscopy. Small intestine was fixed with 2% formaldehyde-0.1% glutaraldehyde and embedded in Lowicryl K4M. One-micron or thin sections were stained with antibody followed by rhodamine- or colloidal gold-labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG, respectively. Label was present overlying microvilli, the apical terminal web, and the cytoplasm directly adjacent to occluding and intermediate junctions. Label was associated with outer mitochondrial membranes of all cells and the supranuclear Golgi region of goblet cells. Lateral cytoplasmic interdigitations between mature cells and subplasmalemmal filaments next to intrusive cells were densely labeled. The cytoplasm adjacent to unplicated domains of lateral membrane was focally labeled. Label was prominent over organized filament bundles within the subplasmalemmal web at the base of mature cells, whereas there was focal labeling of the cytoplasm adjacent to the basal membrane of undifferentiated cells. Basolateral epithelial cell processes were labeled. Label was focally present overlying the cellular ground substance. Our results demonstrate that actin is distributed in a distinctive fashion within intestinal epithelial cells. This distribution suggests that in addition to its function as a structural protein, actin may participate in regulation of epithelial tight junction permeability, in motile processes including migration of cells from the crypt to the villus tip, in accommodation of intrusive intraepithelial cells and in adhesion of cells to one another and to their substratum.     

F-actin is a Nuclear and Chromosomal Component of the Meristematic Cells of Allium sativum

It is known that actin functionates in the form of F-actin. However, the presence of Factin in eukaryotic nuclei and chromosomes has not been well established. The authors labeled meristematic cells of Allium sativum L. with rabbit anti-chicken actin antibody and FITC-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG antibody and observed with fluorescence microscopy. Both the nuclei and chromosomes showed prominent yellow-green fluorescence, indicating the presence of actin in them. Fluorescence examination with TR1TC-conjugated phalloidin demonstrated prominent red fluorescence in the intact interphase cells, cytoplasm-free interphase nuclei, prophase and metaphase chromosomes as well as the daughter nuclei at telophase indicating the presence of F-actin; but the fluorescence was absent or very weak in the cells exposed to cytochalasin D before fixation. When double labeling of the anti-actin antibody and phalloidin was applied, the same nuclei and chromosomes were found to emanate yellow-green fluorescence representing actin at the excitation wavelength of F1TC, and red fluorescence representing F-actin at the excitation wavelength of TRITC, respectively. The FITC fluorescence and TRITC fluorescence shared the same distribution among the nuclei and chromosomes. These results indicate that F-actin is a component of the nuclei and chromosomes of the meristematic cells of A. sativum. It also suggests that F-actin may be the major existing form of actin in them.     

A simple procedure to produce monospecific polyclonal antibodies of high affinity against actin from muscular sources

A simple and effective technique to produce monospecific polyclonal antibodies of high affinity against actin is described. In this procedure, rabbit skeletal muscle actin in the 1:1 complex with bovine pancreatic deoxyribonuclease I is used as antigen to immunize rabbits. The antisera obtained are shown to contain antibodies against both actin and deoxyribonuclease I. By affinity chromatography the two antibody preparations were separated and characterized. The affinity-purified anti-deoxyribonuclease I and anti-actin do not show cross-reactivity. Thus, anti-deoxyribonuclease I inhibits the enzymic activity of deoxyribonuclease I and stains the enzyme after Western blotting. Affinity-purified anti-actin does not inhibit deoxyribonuclease I activity and stains only actin after Western blotting. The affinity-purified anti-actin can be used in a number of different actin-detecting techniques such as in immunohistochemistry and in immunoblotting techniques. This antibody recognizes only actins from muscular tissues with high affinity. Immunoblots of polyacrylamide gels in the presence of ampholytes (IEF) indicate that this antibody only recognizes the alpha-variants of actin. Thus, the skeletal and cardiac alpha-actins are recognized but not the smooth muscle gamma-isoform and the cytoplasmic actins. Vascular smooth muscle alpha-actin is not recognized when using immunoblotting or enzyme-linked immunosorbent techniques. On frozen sections, however, the anti-actin antibody clearly stained vascular smooth muscle cells. Epitope analysis using actin fragments generated by limited proteolysis and selective cleavage using hydroxylamine indicate that this antibody is directed against a rather limited region within the N-terminus of actin.     

Monoclonal anti-actin antibody recognizes a surface molecule on normal and transformed human B lymphocytes: expression varies with phase of cell cycle

A monoclonal anti-actin antibody, 2C9, was used to study the distribution of an actin-like cell-surface antigen (hereafter termed actin) on a lymphoblastoid cell line LA350 and on human peripheral blood lymphocytes. It was determined that 8-40% of LA350 cells and 3-15% of peripheral blood lymphocytes from healthy donors stain specifically with 2C9, almost exclusively on IgM-positive cells. Treatment of cells with 2C9 prior to incubation caused cell-surface actin to first patch and then to cap. Treatment of cells with nonspecific protease caused a loss of surface actin, with reexpression of the marker after 8-12 hr. The expression of LA350 surface actin also increased with DNA synthesis and was demonstrated to be maximal during late G1/early S phase. Thus, this antigen may be a sensitive marker for activated lymphocytes. These studies contribute to our understanding of the expression and distribution of actin-like membrane proteins that may participate in regulatory signals mediated by anti-actin antibody.     

Adenosine deaminase complexing proteins are localized in exocrine glands of the rabbit

Adenosine deaminase complexing proteins have been localized in four exocrine glands of the rabbit by immunoperoxidase staining employing affinity-purified goat anti-rabbit complexing protein immunoglobulin as the primary antibody. In pancreatic acinar cells and in serous cells of Brunner glands (duodenal glands), staining was concentrated in granular appearing deposits between the nucleus and cell apex. Bile canaliculi, components of the exocrine liver, were also positive for complexing protein. In submaxillary glands, staining was localized in serous demilunes and striated ducts. In each instance staining was blocked by preincubating the primary antibody with complexing protein purified from rabbit kidney.     

Comparison of purified anti-actin and fluorescent-heavy meromyosin staining patterns in dividing cells

We purified actin antibodies by affinity chromatography from the serum of rabbits immunized with glutaraldehyde-fixed chicken gizzard actin filaments and used this anti-actin to localize actin in myofibrils and fixed cultured cells at each stage of the cell cycle. By double immunodiffusion the anti-actin reacted with both smooth and skeletal muscle actin. Several blocking and absorption experiments demonstrated that the antibodies also bound specifically to actin in nonmuscle cells. The same structures stained using either the direct or the indirect fluorescent antibody technique; and, while the indirect method was more sensitive, the direct method was superior because there was no detectable nonspecific staining. As expected, anti-actin stained the I-band of myofibrils. It also stained stress fibers and membrane ruffles in HeLa cells. Some PtK-2 cells have straight stress fibers which stained with anti-actin, but in confluent cultures all PtK-2 cells have, instead, sinuous phase-dense fibers which stained with antibody. At prophase the whole cytoplasm stained uniformly with anti-actin. During metaphase and anaphase, anti-actin staining was concentrated diffusely in the mitotic spindle. In contrast, fluorescent heavy meromyosin stained discrete fine spindle fibers in these fixed cells. During cytokinesis, anti-actin stained the whole cytoplasm uniformly and was not concentrated in the cleavage furrow.     

Revealing the F_actin Networks in Interphase Nuclei of Garlic Clove Cells by Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy

The interphase nuclei of parenchyma cells and epidermal cells of garlic (Allium sativum L.) clove were labelled with rabbit anti-actin antibody and FITC-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG antibody. The authors observed results with fluorescence microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The nuclei showed prominent green-yellow fluorescence, indicating the presence of actin in the nuclei. Fluorescence examination with TRITC-phalloidin showed distinctive red fluorescence in the nuclei, indicating that F-actin is present in the nuclei. Confocal laser scanning microscopy indicated the presence of F-actin containing network structures in the nuclei, but the network structures were absent and the nuclei still showed red fluorescence when the cells were treated with cytochalasin D before fixation; the red fluorescence in the nuclei was hard to be observed when the cells were treated with unlabelled phalloidin before the cells were stained with TRITC-phalloidin. These results indicate that F-actin is in the nuclei and forms network structures in the nuclei of garlic cells.     

In vitro studies of the rabbit immune system. VI. Rabbit anti-mouse cytotoxic T effector cells are inhibited by anti-rabbit T cell serum in the absence of complement.

Xenogeneic rabbit anti-mouse cell-mediated cytotoxic activity could be generated by culturing lymphoid cells from mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), spleen, or peripheral blood of rabbits primed 2 to 8 weeks earlier with mouse tumor or spleen cells. MLN cells, which provided the best source of activity after being cultured with 5 to 10 X 10(6) mitomycin C-treated mouse spleen cells for 4 to 6 days, produced 30 to 90% specific isotope release after 4 to 7 hr incubation with 15Cr-labeled tumor target cells. Xenogeneic cytotoxic activity was primarily H-2 specific and could not be blocked by immune complexes but was abrogated by treatment with goat anti-rabbit thymocyte serum plus complement (ATS + C) before or after culture. Therefore, the activity appeared to be mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Furthermore, ATS without C abrogated cytotoxic activity when included in the CTL assay at concentrations of 5 to 15 microliter/10(7) effector cells. The inhibitory activity of ATS was directed to the rabbit effector population and could be absorbed completely by rabbit thymocytes. Antisera to mouse T cells with comparable cytolytic activity in the presence of C did not inhibit murine allogeneic CTL.     

Mechanism for signaling initiation and termination of B lymphocyte proliferation induced by anti-immunoglobulin

Summary Several lines of evidence were explored which taken together indicate that both the initiation and the termination signal for activation of rabbit lymphocytes to synthesize DNA in response to anti-rabbit immunoglobulin occurs at an immunoglobulin receptor on the surface membrane of B cells. Thus, the premature removal of anti-rabbit immunoglobulin by simply washing the cells at the 31st hour of a 48-h incubation period caused a 60% decrease in the induction of DNA synthesis. The addition of rabbit immunoglobulin to compete with B cell surface immunoglobulin for the combining sites on anti-rabbit immunoglobulin yielded a markedly diminished activation. Addition of rabbit immunoglobulin even during the latter part of a pulse label period with [³H]-thymidine was sufficient to result in reduced activation. Finally, insoluble anti-rabbit immunoglobulin at the same nominal concentration as soluble anti-rabbit immunoglobulin also was effective in inducing cells to DNA synthesis. However, it is noteworthy that under the incubation conditions used it was not possible to derive a soluble component from insoluble anti-rabbit immunoglobulin which stimulated DNA synthesis. These data have been interpreted to indicate a need for a continuous surface presence of anti-rabbit immunoglobulin to stimulate activation in a process that is not dependent upon internalization of anti-rabbit immunoglobulin.     

Surface immunoglobulin on rabbit lymphoid cells. II. Ultrastructural distribution of b4 allotypic determinants and morphology of spleen lymphocytes

Surface immunoglobulin allotypic determinants on rabbit spleen lymphoid cells are ultrastructurally localized by labeling with antiallotype antisera and soluble complexes of ferritin and rabbit antiferritin of a given allotype. At 0 °C surface Ig is visualized in patches on the membrane of 54% of the spleen lymphocytes examined. Four morphologically distinct categories of spleen lymphocytes display different amounts of labeled surface Ig. Type I cells are essentially identical to peripheral blood lymphocytes and demonstrate rapid endocytosis of surface Ig at 37 °C. Type II cells greater amounts of surface Ig, demonstrate little endocytosis, and are consistent with lymphoblast cells. Type III cells have the greatest amount of surface Ig, reveal some endocytosis, and are morphologically consistent with proplasmacytes and plasmablast cells. Type IV cells are immature plasma cells and have very little detectable surface Ig. The percentage of each cell type making up the labeled population is Type I, 28%; Type II, 21%; Type III, 50%, and Type IV, 1%. Immunoferritin labeled Ig determinants may be modulated from the surface of these cells at 37 °C by endocytosis and/or by shedding after reaction with anti-Ig antisera.