Formation of a morphologically complex system by peroxidase-positive
lysosomal elements in human monocytes
W Deimann and L Teckhaus
Computer-aided three-dimensional reconstruction of serial ultrathin
sections revealed that freshly prepared monocytes from human blood
contained endogenous peroxidase (PO) not only in cytoplasmic granules, but
also in long contorted tubules and in complex elements, which consisted of
both tubular and granular components. The various PO- positive elements
formed an intricate system, which was separate from all other cytoplasmic
structures, including the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus.
Because the PO-positive elements in monocytes are known to be primary
lysosomes, which are involved in host defense mechanisms, we suggest that
the antimicrobial functions of human blood monocytes are exerted by
functionally and morphologically diverse subcompartments of a complex
system rather than by separate uniform granules.
Volume 66,
Issue 3,
pp. 514-521,
09/01/1985
Copyright © 1985 by The American Society of Hematology
