IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF CATECHOL-O-METHYLTRANSFERASE IN LYMPHOID TISSUE AND BONE MARROW OF RAT

Abstract

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) was localized in the spleen, thymus, and lymph node of the rat using the unlabeled antibody enzyme technique. Immunoreactive deposits were found in the cells of the white pulp, marginal zone, and perinodular ring between the white pulp and marginal zone of the spleen and the sinus, germinal center and cortex of the lymph node. These cells appeared to be reticular cells and macrophages on the basis of their shape and distribution. COMT was present in epithelial reticular cells of the thymus. No COMT reaction product was found in bone marrow.