Cell subpopulations in the paracortical area of the normal human lymphnode defined by monoclonal antibodies

The cell subpopulations of normal human lymphnode were studied by immunohistochemical and immunoelectronmicroscopy techniques carried out by using monoclonal antibodies. OKT3 positive cells were demonstrated overwhelming in comparison to both OKT4 positive cells and OKT8 positive cells; furthermore la positive cells, dendritic in shape, were observed. Our results, compared to literature data, confirm that paracortex of limphnode is a T-dependent area. Moreover a possible role of the la positive dendritic cells in the immunological education of T helper-inducer lymphocytes was hypotised. Finally, our immunoelectronmicroscopic findings prove that OKT4 positive cells and OKT8 positive cells show different ultrastructural patterns.