Production of Macroglobulins in Vitro and a Study of Their Cellular Origin

Abstract

Lymph nodes of three patients with macroglobulinemia of Waldenström were studied in tissue culture and shown to synthesize 19S γ-globulin in vitro. Lymph node imprints, bone marrow, and buffy coat smears of the same patients consisted almost entirely of lymphocytes. When these were stained with fluorescein-conjugated antiserum to macroglobulin, large and medium-sized lymphocytes and lymphoblasts rather than mature lymphocytes or plasma cells were shown to contain the protein. It is suggested that 19S γ-globulin may also be synthesized by cells belonging to the lymphoid series under normal circumstances.