Selective labilization of specific granules in polymorphonuclear leukocytes by phorbol myristate acetate. 1974

J G White, and R D Estensen

The action of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), the active principle of croton oil, on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) has been evaluated in this study. Small amounts of PMA caused the rapid development of vacuoles in neutrophils and the disappearance of specific granules. Histochemical and cytochemical studies revealed that alkaline phosphatase activity was transferred to vacuoles and disappeared from the cells, while myeloperoxidase activity remained associated with intact azurophilic lysosomes. Electron-dense tracers indicated that the vacuole membranes originated, at least in part, from the cell wall of the neutrophils. The results indicate that PMA stimulates events remarkably similar to those which take place when bacteria are engulfed by PMNs, except for the failure of azurophilic lysosomes to participate in PMA-induced vacuole formation. PMA appears to be the first chemical agent capable of inducing selective labilization of specific granules in the neutrophil.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007962 Leukocytes White blood cells. These include granular leukocytes (BASOPHILS; EOSINOPHILS; and NEUTROPHILS) as well as non-granular leukocytes (LYMPHOCYTES and MONOCYTES). Blood Cells, White,Blood Corpuscles, White,White Blood Cells,White Blood Corpuscles,Blood Cell, White,Blood Corpuscle, White,Corpuscle, White Blood,Corpuscles, White Blood,Leukocyte,White Blood Cell,White Blood Corpuscle
D008214 Lymphocytes White blood cells formed in the body's lymphoid tissue. The nucleus is round or ovoid with coarse, irregularly clumped chromatin while the cytoplasm is typically pale blue with azurophilic (if any) granules. Most lymphocytes can be classified as either T or B (with subpopulations of each), or NATURAL KILLER CELLS. Lymphoid Cells,Cell, Lymphoid,Cells, Lymphoid,Lymphocyte,Lymphoid Cell
D008566 Membranes Thin layers of tissue which cover parts of the body, separate adjacent cavities, or connect adjacent structures. Membrane Tissue,Membrane,Membrane Tissues,Tissue, Membrane,Tissues, Membrane
D008854 Microscopy, Electron Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen. Electron Microscopy
D009000 Monocytes Large, phagocytic mononuclear leukocytes produced in the vertebrate BONE MARROW and released into the BLOOD; contain a large, oval or somewhat indented nucleus surrounded by voluminous cytoplasm and numerous organelles. Monocyte
D009504 Neutrophils Granular leukocytes having a nucleus with three to five lobes connected by slender threads of chromatin, and cytoplasm containing fine inconspicuous granules and stainable by neutral dyes. LE Cells,Leukocytes, Polymorphonuclear,Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes,Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils,Neutrophil Band Cells,Band Cell, Neutrophil,Cell, LE,LE Cell,Leukocyte, Polymorphonuclear,Neutrophil,Neutrophil Band Cell,Neutrophil, Polymorphonuclear,Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte,Polymorphonuclear Neutrophil
D010544 Peroxidases Ovoperoxidase
D010587 Phagocytosis The engulfing and degradation of microorganisms; other cells that are dead, dying, or pathogenic; and foreign particles by phagocytic cells (PHAGOCYTES). Phagocytoses
D003593 Cytoplasm The part of a cell that contains the CYTOSOL and small structures excluding the CELL NUCLEUS; MITOCHONDRIA; and large VACUOLES. (Glick, Glossary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1990) Protoplasm,Cytoplasms,Protoplasms
D003594 Cytoplasmic Granules Condensed areas of cellular material that may be bounded by a membrane. Cytoplasmic Granule,Granule, Cytoplasmic,Granules, Cytoplasmic

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