Plasma cells with Russell bodies (nose septum, rat)

Electron microscopy. Accumulation of few plasma cells. These mature plasma cells exhibit in their cytoplasm's dilated rough endoplasmic reticula (1) filled with electron-grey material (antibodies) as well as electron-dense granules (3) of varying sizes confirming their secretory activities. (2) indicates the juxta-nuclearly located elaborate Golgi area with secretion vacuoles. These electron-dense granules (3) are made up of accumulated (crystalline) immunoglobulins, within the lumen of the rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae (so-called Russell bodies). Hyper stimulation might result in the formation of these Russell bodies, easily detectable in light microscopy. (4) collagen fibers in the nose septum.