CHAPTER 16 



HISTOCHEMISTRY OF 



LYMPHOCYTIC TISSUE IN THE 



MALIGNANT LYMPHOMAS 



HERBERT BRAUNSTEIN 



This chapter concerns itself with the histochemistry of enzymes in lym- 

 phoid tissue and malignant lymphoma. Most of the material to be presented 

 was studied in our own laboratory in conjunction with Dr. David G. Frei- 

 man and Dr. Edward A. Gall. 



The development of histochemical techniques for the demonstration of 

 enzymes in situ has permitted the study of tissue sections to determine the 

 intracellular sites of activity. Most methods for demonstrating enzymes 

 depend upon the use of artificial substrates, with the aim being the forma- 

 tion of an insoluble precipitate in the exact area of activity. For purposes 

 of tli is presentation, I have divided the enzymes we have studied histo- 

 chemically into two groups, hydrolytic and metabolic. 



We have studied the first group more intensively since these enzymes 

 may usually be demonstrated following the use of more conventional 

 methods of tissue processing. This group, in general, tends to be confined 

 to specific cells rather than generally distributed. However, little or no 

 knowledge, with rare exceptions, is available concerning their intra- 

 cellular functions. The second group, metabolic enzymes, tends to be more 

 widely distributed, especially those concerned with oxidative activity. These 

 usually require the use of fresh, unfixed tissue for their demonstration. We 

 know generally what their metabolic functions are. 



The present study will indicate the distribution of enzymes in malig- 

 nant lymphoma and will compare this with the activity of the normal 

 lymphoid elements. Two possible purposes may be served by this survey: 



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