Azurophil is the term used to refer to objects that are readily staining with an azure dye. ^[1]

The term is used especially in reference to certain cytoplasmic granules^[2] in white blood cells, particularly hyperchromatin and reddish purple granules of certain blood cells.

As another example, neutrophils carry an arsenal of anti-microbial defensins within their azurophils, which eventually fuse with phagocytic vacuoles.

Contents include myeloperoxidase, defensins, neutral serine proteases, lysozyme, and bactericidal/permeability increasing protein.^[3]

[edit] See also

• azure
• lysosome
• specific granules

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Histology at ucsf.edu

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v • d • e Antimicrobial peptides: Granulocyte granule contents Azurophil granules Myeloperoxidase · Defensins · neutral serine proteases (Proteinase 3) · Lysozyme · Bactericidal/permeability increasing protein · Collagenase Neutrophil specific granules Alkaline phosphatase · Lactoferrin · Lysozyme · NADPH oxidase · Collagenase · Cathelicidin Eosinophil granules Cathepsin · Major basic protein · Eosinophil cationic protein · Eosinophil peroxidase · Eosinophil-derived neurotoxin see also platelet alpha-granule, dense granule