Accumulation of Mott cells in the spleen in a CB6F1-Tg rasH2 mouse

Abstract

Mott cells are a variant form of plasma cells in humans and laboratory animals. This report describes the morphological characteristics of Mott cells observed in a 33-week-old female CB6F1-Tg rasH2 mouse. Microscopically, a large number of round cells with abundant eosinophilic globules, which were variable in size, were observed in the spleen and were densely distributed in the red pulp adjacent to the marginal zone. A few similar cells were present in the submandibular lymph node and bone marrow. Neither systemic nor local chronic inflammatory changes were seen in this animal. These cells were positive for mouse immunoglobulins. Ultrastructurally, a homogenous substances with an intermediate electron density had accumulated in the dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum. On the basis of the above findings, these cells were identified as Mott cells. The present lesion is thought to be a spontaneous lesion, an unusual appearance of Mott cells without any associated pathological conditions.