Abstract
The surface of human blood neutrophils (PMN), monocytes, B and T lymphocytes, lymphoblasts from acute lymphoblastlc leukemia (ALL) and macrophages transformed in-vitro from blood monocytes was compared using critical point drying and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Elongated, veillike extensions of the plasma membrane cover the entire surface of the monocyte and macrophage and are characteristic of the mononuclear phagocyte cell line. In contrast, numerous short microvilli and serpentine ridges cover the surface of the PMN. Following PMN attachment to glass the central portion of the cell becomes smooth and microundulations of plasma membrane activity are noted only at the cell periphery. Numerous microvillous projections on the normal human B lymphocyte surface in contrast to the smooth surface and receptors for sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) on the normal blood T lymphocyte surface, as previously reported, were confirmed. SEM offers an additional tool for characterization of each of the normal blood leucocyte cell types. SEM observations of blood lymphoblasts in 3 children with ALL prior to treatment revealed greater than 90% of cells with a smooth surface identical to normal T lymphocytes. However, SRBC rosette formation was present in 6%, 7% and 91% respectively. Correlation of membrane ultrastructure and SRBC receptor sites appears less consistent following malignant lymphoid transformation.
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Greenwood, M., Holland, P. PLASMA MEMBRANE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF HUMAN LEUCOCYTES. Pediatr Res 8, 401 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00367
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00367
