Electron microscopic localization of Russell bodies in the human plasma cell.

Bi, RONALD A. WELSH S INCE originally described in 1890 by \Villiam Russell,’ there has been a gradual accumulation of knowledge concerning Russell body formation by the plasma cell, and yet the exact meaning of these bodies is still not cxplained. Russell bodies can he found in the bone marrow of patients with plasmacytosis due to any cause and are seen often in large numbers within areas of chronic inflammaticn. Russell originally noted the hyaline acidophil bodies in the tissues adjacent to malignant tumors, and termed them the “characteristic organism of cancer.” These bodies have often been considered a form of degeneration of the plasma cell.2 Mere recently Russell bcdies have been identified by histochemistry as a mucoprotein,3 and by fluorescent antibody technics to contain on their surfaces gamma globulin4 and specific antibody.5 The present report describes the electron microscopic localization of Russell bodies in the human plasma cell and sheds light on the cytoarchitectural mechanisms involved, tending to negate the theory that a degenerative