RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RETICULAR STROMAL CELLS AND HEMOPOIETIC CELLS IN BONE MARROW FROM PATIENTS WITH ANLL LEUKEMIA

In order to study relationship between reticular stromal cells and hemopoietic cells in hemopoiesis, bone marrow particles (BMP) from patients with leukemia and long term bone marrow culture (LTBMC) of leukemia were observed with TEM. The results indicated that myeloblastic islands which consisted of reticular stromal cells surrounded by undifferentiated granulocytes were found. Some hemopoietic cells were placed in special niche provided by reticular stromal cells in LTBMC and BMP. Pinocytotic vesicles were observed between the adjacent membranes of both cells. In addition, numerous nuclear bodies in flat stromal cells of LTBMC were seen. Our data demonstrated also that plasma cells also placed in close contact with reticular stromal cells. The significance of these findings was discussed. Key words: Reticular stromal cell; bone marrow hemopoietic cell; niche