Ultrastructural patterns of the α-naphthyl butyrate esterase activity in normal and leukaemic peripheral blood leucocytes

• Published in: The Histochemical journal 1985-05, Vol.17 (5), p.595-604
• Main Authors: FENOGLIO, C, INVERNIZZI, R, GERZELI, G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical, structural and metabolic biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases - blood; Enzymes and enzyme inhibitors; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Hydrolases; Leukemia - blood; Leukemia - enzymology; Leukemia - pathology; Leukemia, Hairy Cell - enzymology; Leukemia, Lymphoid - enzymology; Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute - enzymology; Leukocytes - enzymology; Leukocytes - ultrastructure; Microscopy, Electron; Reference Values
• ISSN: 0018-2214; 1573-6865
• DOI: 10.1007/BF01003199

The activity of alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase was investigated at the ultrastructural level in normal human peripheral blood and in a few cases of hairy cell leukaemia, B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and acute monocytic leukaemia. A membrane reactivity was detected in most normal monocytes and lymphocytes. The activity in monocytes was very strong and was inhibited by NaF. It was NaF-resistant and less intense in lymphocytes. The reaction product was localized in the cytoplasm only in a small percentage of lymphocytes. In lymphocytes and monoblasts from pathological samples the pattern of reactivity was similar to that found in their normal counterparts, except for a lower intensity. The hairy cells showed a discrete distribution of the NaF-resistant reaction product on their cell surface. The different patterns of enzyme distribution are discussed critically.