[Immunoelectron-microscopic findings of cells concerning immunological recognition]

Recent advance in immunology is evident since the development of monoclonal antibodies and recombinant DNA techniques. Nevertheless, morphological studies in immunology is necessary to understand the mechanisms of immunological reaction in vivo and immunological disease. In this article, morphological findings mainly under immunoelectron microscopy of cells concerning immunological recognition are described. In a paragraph of peripheral bloods, findings of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, Leu7+ and HLA-DR+ cells are shown with review of recent evidence of immunological recognition and mechanisms of CML. In a paragraph of peripheral lymphoid tissue, morphological changes of B lymphocytes in B cell proliferation are described with changes of surface markers on B cells. In a paragraph of thymus, recent knowledges about immunological tolerance and MHC restriction are reviewed with immunohistochemical findings of the cells in thymus.