10.3: Plasma Cells

Last updated
Save as PDF

Page ID: 38821

\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

: An image from a bone marrow smear showing a plasma cell. Note the perinuclear clearing surrounding the nucleus. 100z oil immersion. From MLS Collection, University of Alberta, https://doi.org/10.7939/R30C4T111

: An image from a bone marrow smear with a plasma cell (indicated by an arrow). 100x oil immersion. From MLS Collection, University of Alberta, https://doi.org/10.7939/R3JM23X5J

Notes: The maturation of a lymphocyte to a plasma cell marks the production of immunoglobulins. Lymphocytes that mature into plasma cells are of B lineage.¹

Nucleus-to-Cytoplasm Ratio: 2:1 to 1:1 ²

Nucleoli: None ^1,2

Nucleus:^1,2

Round or oval

Eccentrically located

Coarse, clumpy, dark purple staining chromatin

Cytoplasm:^1,2

Abundant

Darkly basophilic

Perinuclear (clear) zone may be seen around the nucleus (Representing the golgi body)

Vacuoles may be present

Normal % in Bone Marrow: 0-1% ^1,2

Normal % in Peripheral Blood: 0% ^1,2

References:

1. Williams L, Finnegan K. Lymphocytes. In: Clinical laboratory hematology. 3rd ed. New Jersey: Pearson; 2015. p. 122-43.

2. Rodak BF, Carr JH. Lymphocyte maturation. In: Clinical hematology atlas. 5th ed. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Inc.; 2017. p. 79-88.