Immune System

Spleen - Hyperplasia, Plasma Cell

Narrative
Comment:
Plasma cell hyperplasia is a common, often mild, lesion in the spleen of rodents, particularly mice. It consists of plasma cells and/or plasmablasts that migrate to the red pulp from the white pulp (lymphoid follicles, germinal centers) following acute or chronic antigen-specific stimulation (Figure 1 and Figure 2, arrows), where they secrete large volumes of antibodies. Small foci of plasma cells that blend in with normal splenic cellular constituents frequently occur in spleens of aged rats and mice. If needed, plasma cells can be identified with immunohistochemistry for human kappa light chains or immunoglobulins.
Recommendations:
Plasma cell hyperplasia should be diagnosed when the number of plasma cells exceeds that seen in concurrent controls. When diagnosed, it should be graded.
References:

Cesta MF. 2006. Normal structure, function, and histology of the spleen. Toxicol Pathol 34:455-465.

Full Text: http://tpx.sagepub.com/content/34/5/455.full.pdf

Elmore SA. 2006. Enhanced histopathology of the spleen. Toxicol Pathol 34:648-655.

Full Text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1828535/

Frith CH, Ward JM, Chandra M, Losco PE. 2000. Non-proliferative lesions of the hematopoietic system in rats. HL-1. In: Guides for Toxicologic Pathology. STP/ARP/AFIP, Washington, DC.

Matsuno K, Ezaki T, Kotani M. 1989. Splenic outer periarterial lymphoid sheath (PALS): An immunoproliferative microenvironment constituted by antigen-laden marginal metallophils and ED2-positive macrophages in the rat. Cell Tissue Res 257:459-470.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2790931

Mebius RE, Kraal G. 2005. Structure and function of the spleen. Nat Rev Immunol 5:606-616.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16056254

National Toxicology Program. 1999. NTP TR-488. Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of 60-Hz Magnetic Fields in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Whole-Body Exposure Studies). NTP, Research Triangle Park, NC.

Abstract: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/10166

Van Rees EP, Sminia T, Dijkstra CD. 1996. Structure and development of the lymphoid organs. In: Pathobiology of the Aging Mouse (Mohr U, Dungworth DL, Capen CC, Carlton WW, Sundberg JP, Ward JM, eds). ILSI Press, Washington, DC, 173-187.

Ward JM, Mann PC, Morishima H, Frith CH. 1999. Thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes. In: Pathology of the Mouse (Maronpot RR, ed). Cache River Press, Vienna, IL, 333-360.

Ward JM, Rehg JE, Morse HC III. 2012. Differentiation of rodent immune and hematopoietic system reactive lesions from neoplasias. Toxicol Pathol 40:425-434.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22215512
  • Image of hyperplasia, plasma cell in the spleen from a female B6C3F1/N mouse in a chronic study

    Spleen - Hyperplasia, Plasma cell in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study. Small, multifocal aggregates of plasma cells (arrows) are present within the splenic red pulp.

Enlarge Image
Enlarge All Images
Spleen - Hyperplasia, Plasma cell in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study. Small, multifocal aggregates of plasma cells (arrows) are present within the splenic red pulp.
Spleen - Hyperplasia, Plasma cell in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study. Small, multifocal aggregates of plasma cells (arrows) are present within the splenic red pulp.
Spleen - Hyperplasia, Plasma cell in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). Plasma cells (arrow) are round to oval with a high nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio, typically eccentric nucleus with heterochromatin in a characteristic cartwheel or clock face arrangement, and a pale perinuclear region with a Golgi apparatus.
Spleen - Hyperplasia, Plasma cell in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). Plasma cells (arrow) are round to oval with a high nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio, typically eccentric nucleus with heterochromatin in a characteristic cartwheel or clock face arrangement, and a pale perinuclear region with a Golgi apparatus.

Authors

Kristen Hobbie, DVM, PhD
Principal Pathologist
Huntingdon Life Sciences
Peterborough, UK

Susan A. Elmore, MS, DVM, DACVP, DABT, FIATP
Staff Scientist, NTP Pathologist
NTP Pathology Group
National Toxicology Program
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Research Triangle Park, NC

Holly M. Kolenda-Roberts, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Veterinary Pathologist
SNBL USA
Everett, WA

Reviewers

Jerrold M. Ward, DVM, PhD, DACVP, FIATP
Veterinary Pathologist
Global VetPathology
Montgomery Village, MD

Robert R. Maronpot, DVM, MS, MPH, DACVP, DABT, FIATP
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC