The ultrastructure of globule leukocytes is described in the nasal and tracheal respiratory epithelium of three boys suffering from chronic airway infections. The globule leukocytes lie free in the intercellular spaces and appear to be migratory cells. They are characterized by intracytoplasmic membrane-bound globules, variable in number, size, shape, and internal structure. The globules may apparently release their content between the neighboring epithelial cells. Human globule leukocytes are also characterized by the presence of intracytoplasmic rod-shaped bodies, the significance of which is not known. They usually display an extended juxta-nuclear Golgi apparatus, presumably involved in the formation of the globules. Comparison of the fine structure of the globules in the globule leukocytes with that of the granules found in the subepithelial mast cells does not support a mast cell origin for human globule leukocytes. On morphological grounds, natural killer cells are postulated as a possible source for globule leukocytes. The function of globule leukocytes is briefly discussed. We presume that the globule leukocytes belong to the group of migrating and secreting cells involved in the defense of the organism against foreign material.
The enzyme naphthol-AS-D-chloroacetate esterase is histochemically demonstrated in the granules of globule leucocytes in the tracheal epithelium of rats. The enzyme reactivity may be used as a cytochemical marker of these cells. The previously postulated mast cell origin of globule leucocytes is doubted, and the possibility that globule leucocytes belong to the group of natural killer cells is discussed. The biological role of the located esterase and the function of the globule leucocytes are also briefly discussed.
In the present study, the presence of immunoglobulins was immunohistochemically investigated in globule leucocytes in the tracheal respiratory epithelium of conventional rats, athymic nude rats and a germ-free rat. It was not possible to demonstrate any immunoglobulins in tracheal globule leucocytes. This and other dissimilarities with intestinal globule leucocytes are briefly discussed. On the other hand, peroxidase-antiperoxidase staining revealed the presence of surface immunoglobulins on the membrane of subepithelial mast cells. The previously postulated mast cell origin of the tracheal globule leucocytes is doubted, and the possibility that globule leucocytes should belong to the group of natural killer cells is discussed.
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