Abstract
Acid phosphatase, β-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase activities were demonstrated in lymphocytes of man and various rodents using formalin-fixed cryostat sections. Lymphocytes were heterogeneous in respect to the activity of these enzymes, depending on the location of cells in the lymphatic tissues. Acid phosphatase activity was demonstrable in lymphocytes located in the diffuse lymphatic tissue of the cortex of the lymph node and around the central arteriole of the splenic white pulp of all species studied. In man and in rat, the majority of lymphocytes in these areas also showed β-glucuronidase activity whereas, in the mouse, none had β-glucuronidase but many had N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase activity. Most of the lymphocytes in the mantle of the germinal centers and in the lymphatic nodules of the splenic white pulp were negative for all three enzymes studied. The thymic lymphocytes were positive for acid phosphatase, but usually negative for β-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase. The possible significance of these differences is discussed.