Complement (C3) receptors on dendritic reticulum cells of normal and malignant lymphoid tissue

The aim of this study was to investigate whether dendritic reticulum cells (DRC) in normal lymphoid tissue and in malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas possess receptors for the third complement component (C3 receptors). For this purpose we studied the in situ expression of C3 receptors in lymphoid tissue by staining frozen tissue sections with an antiserum specific for human C3 receptors (AC3RS), using a modified immunoperoxidase method. The results indicate that DRC of normal and malignant lymphoid tissue express large amounts of C3 receptors. Absorption experiments revealed that the C3 receptors of DRC are identical with, or at least share common antigenic sites with, the C3 receptors expressed by tonsil B cells.