Azurophilic granule

Azurophilic granule
Details
Latin granulum azurophilum
Identifiers
Code TH H2.00.04.1.02011
TH H2.00.04.1.02014
Anatomical terminology

An azurophil is an object readily stained with an azure stain. In white blood cells and hyperchromatin, imparting a burgundy or merlot coloration. Neutrophils in particular are known for containing azurophils loaded with a wide variety of anti-microbial defensins that fuse with phagocytic vacuoles. Azurophils may contain myeloperoxidase, phospholipase A2, Acid Hydrolases, Elastase, defensins, neutral serine proteases, bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein,[1] lysozyme, cathepsin G, proteinase 3, and proteoglycans.

Azurophil granules are also known as "primary granules".[2]

Furthermore, the term Azurophils may refer to a unique type of cells, identified only in reptiles. These cells are similar in size to so-called heterophils with abundant cytoplasm that is finely to coarsely granular and may sometimes contain vacuoles. Granules may impart a purplish hue to the cytoplasm, particularly to the outer region. Occasionally azurophils are observed with vacuolated cytoplasm.[3]

See also

References

  1. "Phagocytes-Neutrophils".
  2. John P. Greer; Maxwell Myer Wintrobe (1 December 2008). Wintrobe's clinical hematology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 173. ISBN 978-0-7817-6507-7. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  3. Bonnie Ballard; Ryan Cheek (May 4, 2010). Exotic Animal Medicine for the Veterinary Technician (2 ed.). Wiley-Blackwell. p. 391. ISBN 978-0813822068.

External links