Scanning electron microscopy in the study of chicken t and b cells and cells from Marek's disease tumours.

Surface morphology of chicken T and B cells, Marek's disease (MD) lymphoma cells and a chicken lymphoblastoid cell line MSB-1 (established from an MD tumour) was examined with the scanning electron microscope (SEM). T cells were round, measured 3-3.5 microm in diameter and had smooth surface projections. B cells were also round but were slightly larger (4-5.5 microm) and had some surface projections. Approximately 15 to 20% of MD lymphoma cells were similar to B cells and the rest (70-80%), appeared similar to T cells. MSB-1 lymphoblastoid cells were round or slightly elongated, measured 8-10 mum, had a smooth surface, and many had long projections. Based on their size and surface morphology MSB-1 cells could not be identified as T cells, although they carry T cell surface antigenic markers.