Plasma cell (liver, rat)

Electron microscopy. The mature plasma cell or plasmacyte shows an eccentric nucleus with a characteristic chunky distribution of heterochromatin along the inner nuclear membrane (spoke-wheel effect in light microscopy). Juxtanuclearly an elaborate Golgi area (2) (cytocentrum/centrosome). The cytoplasma is packed with long dilated profiles (1) of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) filled with electron-grey material confirming the secretory activity. Dependent on the cellular activity the RER vary from distended up to dilated profiles.