Ultrastructural Studies of Human Basophils and Mast Cells

Ann M. Dvorak ^1*

¹ Departments of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: advorak{at}bidmc.harvard.edu.

Submitted on January 26, 2005
Accepted on 22 February 2005

	Abstract

Ultrastructural studies of human mast cells (HMCs) and basophils (HBs) are reviewed. Sources of HMCs include biopsies of tissue sites and in situ study of excised diseased organs, isolated, partially purified samples from excised organs and growth-factor-stimulated mast cells which develop de novo in cultures of cord blood cells. Sources of HBs for study include partially purified peripheral blood basophils, basophils in tissue biopsies and specific growth factor-stimulated basophils arising de novo from cord blood cells. The ultrastructural studies reviewed deal with identity, secretion, vesicles, recovery and synthesis issues related to the biology of these similar cells.

Key Words: basophil, mast cell, ultrastructure, secretion, vesicle transport, piecemeal degranulation, recovery from degranulation, synthesis, granules, lipid bodies

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