UCLA Conference Granulocytes in Human Disease

The neutrophilic granulocyte develops from a committed hemopoietic stem cell under hormonal and microenvironmental influences. By the promyelocyte stage it begins to develop its arsenal of lysosomal enzymes and soon thereafter develops its phagocytic capabilities. These two features—phagocytosis and lysosomal enzymes—are critical in supporting the neutrophil's defense function and play a key role in many inflammatory reactions. Abnormalities of granulocyte production, morphogenesis, or function occur in a wide variety of human disorders. The discussions that follow review the physiology and function of the normal cell and the aberrations that occur in granulocytic diseases. D R. MARTIN J. C L I N E * : We shall review areas of human disease in which granulocytes play a key role, so as t