Immunoelectron-microscopic localization of Tac antigen in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma.

The localization of Tac antigen in adult T-cell leukemia-associated antigen (ATLA)-positive lymphomas was studied ultrastructurally with the use of the immunoperoxidase technique. The antigen was observed on the plasma membranes of a portion of the characteristic cells with convoluted nuclei and a majority of the cells with less irregular nuclei, which were larger than the former. In addition, the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, perinuclear cisternae, and Golgi cisternae of the latter cells were also positively stained with anti-Tac antibody. It is thought that the positive reaction of the plasma membranes may correspond to interleukin 2 (IL 2) receptors, the cytoplasmic and perinuclear reaction sites may well correspond to the precursor of IL 2 receptors, and Tac antigen may be produced in the cytoplasm of the ATLA-positive lymphoma cells.