Ultrastructural localization of Leu M1 in Reed-Sternberg cells and normal myeloid cells

An antigen Leu M1 has been localized to myelomonocytic cells and Reed-Sternberg cells by light microscopic immunocytochemical studies. We used both pre- and post-embedding immunoelectron microscopy to define the ultrastructural distribution of this antigen. Post-embedding techniques heavily labeled the granules of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and the nonspecific granules of eosinophils. At high concentrations there was labeling of the specific granules of the eosinophil. The antibody consistently labeled the perinuclear granules and vesicles of Reed-Sternberg cells. Some Reed-Sternberg cells also exhibited labeling of the endoplasmic reticulum, suggesting that these cells have the capacity to synthesize this antigen. Although plasma membranes were labeled with the post-embedding technique, these structures were most heavily labeled with the pre-embedding method. These results indicate that Leu M1 is synthesized and packaged by Reed-Sternberg cells and represents an integral structural component of these cells.