Globule leukocytes in the respiratory epithelium of human upper airways: An ultrastructural study

Abstract

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.

Granule Exocytosis of Granulysin and Granzyme B as a Potential Key Mechanism in Vaccine-Induced Immunity in Cattle against the Nematode Ostertagia ostertagi

“…Furthermore, even at this moment, there is still disagreement about the origin of GLs. Some sources state that GLs originate from mucosal mast cells (29,47), whereas others suggest that GLs are a subtype of large granular lymphocytes or NK cells (30,48,49). As we see a highly significant correlation of GLs with mast cells and the high-affinity IgE receptor (FCER1A), our data seem to support the first hypothesis, identifying GLs as a kind of activated mast cells.…”

Gastric mucosal changes induced by polyethylene glycol 400 administered by gavage in rats

“…GL has been defined as a mononuclear cell containing eosinophilic globules in the cytoplasm and infiltrating some mucous membranes (Akpavie and Pirie, 1989;Kent, 1966). However, the precise GL lineage remains controversial: some GLs have been thought to belong to the large granular lymphocyte lineage (Baert and Frederix, 1985;Konno et al, 1994), and other GLs have been assumed to belong to the mast cell lineage (Ikeda and Yamashina, 1993;Narama et al, 1999). To characterize the GLs found in the rat stomach after PEG 400 administration in this study, several additional stainings, including immunohistochemistry, were performed.…”

Cytochemical Study of Phosphatases in Globule Leucocytes Isolated from Rat Tracheal Epithelium

“…in the sheep bronchopulmonary tract [6], in human upper airways [7] and in bovine bronchopulmonary lavage [8.9). The globule leucocytes are characterized by intracytoplasmic membrane-bound granules or globules, vari able in number, size, shape and internal structure, not only from species to species but frequently within a single cell.…”

“…The globule leucocytes are characterized by intracytoplasmic membrane-bound granules or globules, vari able in number, size, shape and internal structure, not only from species to species but frequently within a single cell. The globule leucocytes lie free in the intercellular spaces throughout the respiratory epithelium [7]. They are migra tory cells and may reach the airway lumen [3.…”

“…They are migra tory cells and may reach the airway lumen [3. 9], They are supposed to play a role in the defense of the organism against foreign material [7], However, the ontogeny and function of globule leucocytes and their suggested rela tionship to other cells as mucosal mast cells [5. 10.…”