spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


spacer gif
     Home     Help     Feedback     Subscriptions     Archive     Search     Table of Contents    

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Brown, W. J.
Right arrow Articles by Wood, E. M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Brown, W. J.
Right arrow Articles by Wood, E. M.

Journal of Cell Science, Vol 30, Issue 1 21-35, Copyright © 1978 by Company of Biologists

JOURNAL ARTICLES

Ultrastructural localization of cationic proteins in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

WJ Brown and EM Wood

The present investigation is concerned with the use of the post-formalin ammoniacal silver reaction to detect the arginine-rich cationic proteins in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes at the ultrastructural level. These proteins appear to function as neutral proteases in antibacterial action and as mediators of inflammation. Originally, the ammoniacal silver reaction relied upon primary fixation in dilute formalin which prevented optimum fixation of tissues. This study shows that by using the proper sequence of glutaraldehyde fixation and the ammoniacal silver solution in conjunction with osmium tetroxide treatment, better fixation of the tissue and localization of the ammoniacal silver reaction can be achieved. Also, the ammoniacal silver reaction in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes is exclusively located in the large, crystalline cytoplasmic granules of eosiniphils. All other cytoplasmic granules of neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils were found to be devoid of the ammoniacal silver reaction product. These results are contrary to previously published experimental data. Possible explanations for this discrepancy are discussed.




© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1978