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.